The fascination of dogs paws and how they don’t get cold feet
When temperatures start to drop and so-called “dog booties” start popping up in local pet store’s shelves, dog owners can find themselves with the temptation to dress up their beloved pooch. Thanks to a recent discovery, owners can rest easy knowing that their companion’s feet will be toasty enough to go for a walk in winter.
According to a study that was published in the journal Veterinary Dermatology, Dog’s feet have specialised circulatory systems which prevent freezing in the colder climates. The operation of electron microscopes revealed that domestic dogs have many veins close to arteries in their paws. In laymen terms, when dogs step out into a cold environment they have the ability to quickly pump warm blood to their feet through these arteries, thus preventing their feet from getting too cold.
FAQ CONTENT
How often should I feed my pet?
Puppies require small meals throughout the day and generally should be started with 5 small meals a day, bringing this down to four meals a day at the age of 3 months, then 3 meals a day at 6 months. It is important that the puppy is fed a diet designed for its age and breed size. There are diets specifically designed for puppies and young dogs which will ensure the growing dog receives the nutrition required for healthy growth.
For dogs of 12 months or older, traditionally it has been recommended that they should be fed just once a day, with small breeds being fed twice a day because they only eat a small amount at each mealtime.
When should I bring my pet to the vet?
Here are 7 signs that you should pay attention to in order to get your pet the care they might need.
- Weird eating habits
- Strange drinking habits
- Extreme fatigue and sluggishness
- A change in their coat
- Vomiting
- Extreme weight loss or weight gain
- Difficulty breathing
should I give heartworm preventative?
Infected mosquitoes pass heartworms to the animals they bite. After a period of development as larvae in a dog’s body, adult heartworms travel to and infest the animal’s heart and blood vessels. They block the chambers of the heart and the arteries and veins, which can cause death. We recommend that you first have your dog tested for heartworms, and ongoing once per year. It takes at least six and a half months for heartworm larvae to develop into adult worms, puppies younger than seven months can start taking preventatives without being tested.
