{"type":"rich","version":"1.0","provider_name":"Transistor","provider_url":"https://transistor.fm","author_name":"Radio Chatskill","title":"Winter Brings Hidden Dangers for Pets","html":"","width":"100%","height":180,"duration":529,"description":"Winter weather can be tough on people, but it can be dangerous for pets, too. Cold temperatures, road salt and antifreeze all pose risks, especially for puppies, senior pets and short-haired breeds.“When it comes to snow and the things that you might encounter outdoors, that obviously includes snow, ice and salt that we use all the time,” said Dr. Aleksandra Ascione of Milford Animal Hospital, an AAHA-accredited veterinary practice serving the Northern Poconos. “So their paws are constantly at risk for injuries, and just from being exposed to all those things they can crack and cause issues.”Ascione said one of the simplest ways to protect dogs in winter is also one many pets dislike.“There are very simple things that you can try doing, like putting booties on your dog’s paws,” she said. “They might hate it, but it will keep them protected.”She also recommends paw balms and creams to keep pads moisturized and prevent cracking, as well as wiping paws after pets come inside.Cold weather can be especially hard on puppies, senior animals and short-haired breeds. While many people assume fur is enough, Ascione said that is not always the case.“Not necessarily, because when it comes to the tiny little ones, the young ones and the older ones, the way that they regulate their body temperatures might not be as efficient,” she said. “We don’t want to overexpose them to low temperatures.”She added that sweaters or jackets can help, but moderation is key.“A little bit of playtime in the snow is absolutely lovely, but we want to make sure they are not actually shaking from how cold it is outside,” Ascione said.How long is too long outdoors depends on the individual animal.“Absolutely, it changes based on age, breed, and also every pet is different,” she said. “Personally, my own dog will get the zoomies for about five minutes and then she starts to shake. So the moment that I see that we’re starting to get cold, we go back inside immediately.”Road salt and chemicals present...","thumbnail_url":"https://img.transistorcdn.com/q7XXsnSXT_u4mZLCn3chUorwDmUD_kWiB272D6emB18/rs:fill:0:0:1/w:400/h:400/q:60/mb:500000/aHR0cHM6Ly9pbWct/dXBsb2FkLXByb2R1/Y3Rpb24udHJhbnNp/c3Rvci5mbS80N2Uy/OGY5MWUwZThkYTEw/NDVkZGM2ZGZkZDIw/ZjliOS5wbmc.webp","thumbnail_width":300,"thumbnail_height":300}