Linoleum block-printed Valentine cards inspired by Valentine Candy hearts!

I usually print these little linocuts in earth tones or “tabby colors”, but I’ve been itching to use brights and pastels and all sorts of combinations with them. Considering the designs, what better time to start with this than Valentine’s day to create hand-printed cards in magenta on pink, violet, magenta and red card stock, embellished with magenta or purple stamp ink, just saturated with color for Valentine’s Day!

This set of 4-1/4″ x 5-1/2″ note cards features two designs combining my hand-cut block prints with commercial rubber stamps on smooth uncoated 70 lb. cover stock.

I offer them in sets of single color cards with matching envelopes and in one big set of all four colors.

Magenta on pink set.

PINK, VIOLET AND MAGENTA CARDS
A single kitty entitled “Sunshine and Flowers” printed in magenta says “MEOW!” stamped in magenta with a commercial rubber stamp. Inside “You’re PURRRFECT” is stamped in magenta with a commercial rubber stamp.

Two kitties cuddling for a bath say “You’re PURRRFECT” stamped in magenta with a commercial rubber stamp. Inside “MEOW!” is stamped in magenta with a commercial rubber stamp.

Magenta on red with purple stamp ink.

RED CARDS
A single kitty entitled “Sunshine and Flowers” printed in magenta says “MEOW!” stamped in purple with a commercial rubber stamp. Inside “You’re PURRRFECT” is stamped in purple with a commercial rubber stamp.

Two kitties cuddling for a bath say “You’re PURRRFECT” stamped in purple with a commercial rubber stamp. Inside “MEOW!” is stamped in purple with a commercial rubber stamp.

Violet cards printed in magenta.

On the back of all the cards I’ve stamped in purple ink the name of the series of block prints, my logo and my name and contact information.

Each set comes with Soft Pink 70 lb. text weight acid-free envelopes which are inkjet/laser compatible. The set of six, including three each of the two designs, are packed in a clear-top vinyl greeting card box.

Individual color sets come with matching envelopes, and use these links to find each of these sets in my Etsy shop:

Pink cards come with Soft Pink envelopes.

Violet cards come with Soft Violet envelopes.

Magenta cards come with Autumn Red envelopes.

Red cards come with Autumn Red envelopes.

Mewsette, Giuseppe and Jelly Bean inspect each card.

ABOUT THE ART: TABBIES LINOLEUM BLOCK PRINTS

The stripes made me do it! The clarity of tabby cat stripes as they outline a cat’s features and define its shape has always been an inspiration for more graphic designs.

These cards were block printed, a technique wherein the artist carves the surface of a piece of linoleum, leaving raised areas which will become the image. Ink is rolled onto these raised areas, then a piece of paper is pressed against the block and when it’s lifted away the ink remains, leaving the image on the paper.

These two designs are from a set of four, and have always had a sweet and cuddly feel to me. I’d always printed these in natural earth tones but have been planning to print them in bright colors on brightly-colored paper as well.

Please explore my greeting card collections in my shop on Etsy to see all the designs and others too.

"These cats are all covered with funny markings," say the three perfect black cats.

I photographed the process as I printed these—of course, with feline supervision—and I’ll be posting my article soon to explain how block prints are made.

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All images and text used in this article are copyrighted to Bernadette E. Kazmarski unless otherwise noted and may not be used without my written permission. Please ask if you are interested in purchasing one as a print, or to use in a print or internet publication.

Purple Cats Valentine Note Cards

You may recognize this little painting—it was one of my most popular daily sketches, “Purple Cats, Red Blanket”, and just lends itself to a Valentine theme.

These note cards are 4-1/4″ x 5-1/2″ and printed on uncoated cover stock, rather than the matte finish stock I usually prefer for cards, to mimic the original watercolor paper I used for the illustration.

The message inside is “Purr Hearts”, which I drew by hand in pen, a message that can be given to a friend or to someone who is a little more than a friend!

Purr Hearts, my own little doodle in ink

Each card comes with Autumn Red 70 lb. text weight acid-free envelopes which are inkjet/laser compatible. They are packed in a clear-top vinyl greeting card box.

I will have these small note cards available in my Etsy shop until Valentine’s Day; after Valentine’s Day I will be offering the design as part of my “Feline Greetings Art Cards” selection as a 5″ x 7″ card.

Purple Cats, Red Blanket, ink and watercolor © B.E.Kazmarski

ABOUT THE ART

This daily sketch was done in felt-tip ink technical drawing pen with watercolor washes, signed and dated 1/6/12, and pictures Jelly Bean and Mewsette using a red blanket I’d tossed to the landing for the laundry as a comfy impromptu cat bed.

Black cats, like white cats, have all sorts of colors in their fur, and in the day’s filtered sunlight their fur glistened with all sorts of highlights and shadows. The randomly shaped and wrinkled red blanket heightened the range of colors in their fur and even the neutral wood floor held random combinations in its old unfinished grain. Mostly, the composition was what attracted me in the first place: two similar heavy rounded shapes, the random soft shape and the smooth shape brought elements together in a very pleasing way.

I think cats are very aware of how they can create beautiful compositions simply by being in them.

The original painting, matted and framed, is also available in my Etsy shop.

DAILY SKETCHES

If you read The Creative Cat regularly, you see my sketches nearly every day.

I endeavor to do at least a small sketch each day as a warm-up to my aesthetic senses, so I have a small pouch of art materials and a few various sized sketchbooks available in the house and out. Usually, these are done in pencil, my first and favorite medium, though sometimes it’s charcoal, ink, colored pencil, ink and brush, whatever strikes my fancy at the moment, the greatest challenge to keep it quick and not get caught up in details, let the idea flow onto the paper.

Most often, the subjects are my cats because they are such willing models, though sometimes I’ll also wander afield, literally, and sketch in my yard or anywhere I go for errands. Medium and especially style vary just so I get a chance to do something new.

Every once in a while, they are meant for framing, and I’ve designed a series of notecards, notepaper and notepads using other daily sketches of my cats, and even of backyard birds and scenes in nature. Often I use them as illustrations for graphics projects I’m designing.

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All images and text used in this article are copyrighted to Bernadette E. Kazmarski unless otherwise noted and may not be used without my written permission. Please ask if you are interested in purchasing one as a print, or to use in a print or internet publication.

Mewsette's Nap, pencil © B.E. Kazmarski

That’s what they get when they sleep on my desk, they get sketched. Mewsette doesn’t think she looks silly with her ear turned flattened because her head is upside down. She’s really not concerned with what anyone thinks, or that she’s sleeping right on something I needed to be working on.

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Click here to see other daily sketches, and for a gallery of the ones available for sale, visit my Etsy shop in the “Daily Sketches” section.

All images used on this site are copyrighted to Bernadette E. Kazmarski unless otherwise noted and may not be used without my written permission. Please ask if you are interested in purchasing one as a print, or to use in a print or internet publication.

Cuddle Puddle behind the door.

Why is the bathroom door closed? I thought. And why is it so dark in there? And why can’t I open the door…

It’s a bi-fold that folds inward but would not, so I pushed the pin down and pulled it out of the track so it could swing free, reached in and turn on the light to reveal…

The cuddle puddle from above.

Another big gob of black cats.

I just have to guess they really, really like to be together. Plus, this is a stolen moment in a space they don’t often have available to them.  The tortie girls spend overnight in the bathroom, and a portion of the afternoon. Obviously, this is a choice spot for napping, and what better to use as a pillow than one of your siblings?

If Mimi had come along, as she sometimes does, she would just climb on top of them, bathing ears and noses as she went; she weighs less than half of any of her children.

From the front, it’s Mewsette, then Jelly Bean on the left and Mr. Sunshine under him, and Giuseppe in the back.

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To see more daily photos go to “Daily Images” in the menu and choose “All Photos” or any other category.

All images used on this site are copyrighted to Bernadette E. Kazmarski unless otherwise noted and may not be used without my written permission. Please ask if you are interested in purchasing one as a print, or to use in a print or internet publication.

The Leaping Bunny logo courtesy Leapingbunny.org

Along with making sure our pets aren’t harmed by chemicals we use around our house and yard, we can also make sure that other animals aren’t harmed by our choices either. We can do this by choosing “cruelty-free” cosmetics, beauty products and household products, but what does this really mean, and how can we find out what products are truly “cruelty-free”?

Federal Food, Drug and Cosmetic Act

Cosmetics and related products are tested on animals for a variety of reasons, often having more to do with legalities than health. Surprisingly enough, the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA) does not require that a product be tested on animals, only that the manufacturer certify that “cosmetics are safe and properly labeled” through the the Federal Food, Drug, and Cosmetic Act (FD&C Act).

“The FD&C Act does not specifically require the use of animals in testing cosmetics for safety, nor does the Act subject cosmetics to FDA premarket approval,” an FDA statement reads, and further adds, “We also believe that prior to use of animals, consideration should be given to the use of scientifically valid alternative methods to whole-animal testing.” Read this statement.

Yet many manufacturers still test their products on animals. Most often the animals used in the testing process are rabbits, or mice, rats, guinea pigs and other rodents, but it’s often been found that homeless cats and dogs end up in testing laboratories as well, often sold to dealers by animal shelters.

Whether or not a product was tested on an animal usually isn’t one of the things included on the label. Unless a manufacturer specifically states the fact that the product is not tested on animals, you really can’t tell by looking. I usually presume that, if a product doesn’t specifically state anything about animal testing that it was tested on animals and I’ll pass it by. If it does have a statement, I’ll investigate further.

“Cruelty-free”?

Even there the issue isn’t as clear as it could be. The term “clinically-tested” means different things in different countries, but not necessarily that the product wasn’t tested on animals. Sometimes you’ll see a statement that the product in the package was not tested on animals, but won’t be told that the raw ingredients for the product were, or that a closely-related product was or that all through development the product was tested on mice, rats, guinea pigs, rabbits, cats and dogs. Or that product itself was not tested, but the manufacturer itself heavily uses animal testing for most of what it manufactures.

And the term “cruelty-free” doesn’t mean much of anything because there is no legal definition for the term. It’s like saying something is “organic”, sounding official but defined by the user, or that something is “green” or “environmentally-friendly”. A consumer can complain that it isn’t true, but no legal recourse can be taken.

Look for the Leaping Bunny

The best way to ensure a product was not tested on animals is to investigate the manufacturer’s policies and sourcing of ingredients, but, okay, how do you do that when you’re standing there with a pretty package of eye shadows in your hand? Or does it really matter for just this bar of soap? I surely don’t spend the time investigating these things. Instead I rely on other sources for the information, but even there you need to be careful where the information comes from.

Which is why I’m so glad for “Leaping Bunny”, or “The Coalition for Consumer Information on Cosmetics”, an international organization that investigates and certifies manufacturers according to their own standards. Their website lists and promotes companies that manufacture and sell products that they have certified to be “cruelty-free” so that the statement has some meaning.

And the “leaping bunny” itself refers to their official logo which these manufacturers are permitted to add to their packaging so that you can look for it when you shop—just be careful you’ve found the right bunny because I’ve seen some clever imitations.

Better yet, you can look on their website for companies they’ve certified or download their new app for mobile devices so that you always have the most updated information.

It’s not easy to give up your favorite hair color, a bath product you love or the foundation that makes your skin look like a teenager’s, but by researching the list you may find products that you like even better, and better yet, you’ll know that your choice has made a difference in hundreds, perhaps thousands of animals’ lives.

NOTE: Usually my posts are image-heavy, but I’ve chosen not to show images of animals engaged in testing—I don’t think most animal lovers need to see those images in order to be convinced of the value of using products that are cruelty-free. I have also not included images of products with the logo because I don’t want to endorse any products. Cute bunnies, mice, rats, guinea pigs, cats and dogs? You probably already have a few you love right there with you, and photos couldn’t be more convincing than that.

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Read other articles in my Living Green With Pets series.

All images and text used on this site are copyrighted to Bernadette E. Kazmarski unless otherwise noted and may not be used without my written permission. Please ask if you are interested in purchasing one as a print, or to use in a print or internet publication.

Just don't mind me you two.

And as if it isn’t bad enough that they make me deal with sweet cuddling while I’m trying to focus on my work, they also sit up and make the computer a backdrop for their communal bathing.

I catch myself all the time trying to see around them. It rarely occurs to me to move them. Behind them you can see I’m in the middle of composing an e-mail. Guess the recipient will have to wait. All I could do was sit there and snap photos while Mewsette and Giuseppe bathed each others’ faces.

Here’s a slideshow of their little after dinner communal bath.

And this is only two days out of 365 in a year.

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To see more daily photos go to “Daily Images” in the menu and choose “All Photos” or any other category.

All images used on this site are copyrighted to Bernadette E. Kazmarski unless otherwise noted and may not be used without my written permission. Please ask if you are interested in purchasing one as a print, or to use in a print or internet publication.

Boyz at Play, colored ink © B.E. Kazmarski

This is drawn in gel pen Mr. Sunshine in burgundy and guess who in green. If you guessed Giuseppe Verdi, you are correct.

Mr. Sunshine happened to see the tie to the apron I wear in my studio peeking out from under the door where it hangs on the doorknob. As we always say about fancy toys and cats, the floor is littered with toys and they play with something of mine. Sunshine was totally overwrought about this canvas tie, doing backflips and falling down to roll around with it. Then it was so good he had to run away and talk about it, coming right back to start all over again.

Giuseppe, trying to understand Sunshine’s excitement came over to help him play with it, but didn’t stand a chance.

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Click here to see other daily sketches.

For a gallery of the ones available for sale, visit my Etsy shop in the “Daily Sketches” section.

Read about the reason for the daily sketches in The Artist’s Life: Daily Sketches.

And read about purchasing them and requesting them as a donation item for your shelter or rescue group in The Artist’s Life: Daily Sketches for Sale and Donation.

All images used on this site are copyrighted to Bernadette E. Kazmarski unless otherwise noted and may not be used without my written permission. Please ask if you are interested in purchasing one as a print, or to use in a print or internet publication.

Awakening, matted and framed, linoleum block print © B.E. Kazmarski

Quote reads: “‘Until one has loved an animal, a part of one’s soul remains unawakened.’–Anatole France. Dedicated to my prince and princess and all those since who’ve awakened their part of my soul.

Because they opened my heart and awakened my soul, I have a special piece of artwork on Valentine’s Day.

“Awakening” is a linoleum block print, 16″ in diameter, printed in water-based ink on handmade white rice paper. For Valentine’s Day I’m offering a print matted with a rich red mat to encircle your feline loves.

ABOUT THE CATS

“Awakening” was inspired by my close companions Kublai and Sally who ran the household together for about 12 years and who actually slept curled like this. I enjoyed following the inspiration to combine the image of the two cats with the decorative border simply made of shapes and patterns that were both attractive and easy to cut in a block print.

Detail of Kublai

I had seen the quote in a number of different places, and of all the quotes about how animals fill our souls this one, the concept of awakening, I found most moving. These two cats, especially Kublai, the “original” black cat, were a major part of my awakening not only to animals but to love in general.

Aside from the fact that they were both loving, friendly and social, they were complete opposites in the way they expressed this love and were as different in temperament as they were in color and texture as the loose reference to yin and yang illustrates.

In their own ways they nurtured about 30 foster cats of widely differing ages and social abilities, just as they nurtured me in the years they shared my life.

Detail of Sally

“Kublai” is somehow derived from the word for “prince” in Sanskrit, and “Sally” is derived from the word for “princess”—Sarah—in Hebrew.

Block printing is a technique wherein the artist carves the surface of a piece of linoleum, leaving raised areas which will become the image. Ink is rolled onto these raised areas, then a piece of paper is pressed against the block and when it’s lifted away the ink remains, leaving the image on the paper.

I also print this image on textiles, such as t-shirts, curtains, tablecloths, shawls and tote bags! Please check my apparel and housewares categories to see what’s currently available.

Because of the nature of the medium, each print is unique and ink coverage is not always perfect. Most artists consider this random activity to be part of the process of creating an individualized print, and along with the hand-painting makes a unique work of art. “

Mat and frame for print.

ABOUT THE PRINT

Mat is an acid-free rich red, my favorite shade to coordinate with plain black and white block prints; not too bright, not too dull. I cut the circular mat myself in my studio; the narrowest portion of the mat is 1.5″. The frame is a 1″ wide plain black matte-finish wood. The final framed size is 21″ x 21″.

I have two matted and framed prints available in my Etsy shop.

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All images and text used in this article are copyrighted to Bernadette E. Kazmarski unless otherwise noted and may not be used without my written permission. Please ask if you are interested in purchasing one as a print, or to use in a print or internet publication.

Peaches Reflecting

When we lose one of our precious animal companions, our own aftercare is very important. I am comforted to know that Deb Chebatoris of Chartiers Custom Pet Cremation is there for me, that she will lovingly and respectfully receive the body of each of my cats, knowing that they will be handled and cremated with dignity, and that the cremains I receive will indeed be theirs.

February marks the annual Healing Hearts for Pet Lovers program sponsored by Chartiers Custom Pet Cremation. Any person who is having trouble coming to terms with the loss of a pet, regardless of when the loss occurred, is welcome to attend. There is no charge for participating.

The session addresses the needs of families who are experiencing the loss of a precious companion. The afternoon will involve both education and remembrance to provide grieving families with help and resources to work through the trauma of losing a beloved companion.

• Grief Information
• Grief Resources
• Tributes
• Fellowship

Please bring a friend to support you or who also might benefit from attending.

The one-afternoon session is free and will include a speaker to provide grieving families with help and resources to work through the trauma of losing a beloved companion. You will be in the company of other families who know the gut-wrenching feeling of losing a pet. Families grieving the loss of their pet are welcome whether or not they have worked with Chartiers Custom Pet Cremation.

Where and When

The session will begin at 2:30 p.m. on Sunday, February 26, 2012 at LaBella Bean Café in Bridgeville. Labella Bean is located at 609 Washington Avenue, Bridgeville, PA 15017, just two blocks away from Chartiers Custom Pet Cremation. LaBella Bean will be closed to the public during this session.

So that we may properly prepare and also contact you in the event of bad weather, please RSVP if you are planning to attend by calling 412-220-7800.

Bleeding Heart Flowers © B.E. Kazmarski

For any updates about Healing Hearts you can either check sign up to receive blog posts from Chartiers Custom Pet Cremation or friend them on Facebook using the links at left to automatically receive notices.

And please visit our website at www.ccpc.ws to read about our services and other pet-related resources we offer.

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All images and text used in this article are copyrighted to Bernadette E. Kazmarski unless otherwise noted and may not be used without my written permission. Please ask if you are interested in purchasing one as a print, or to use in a print or internet publication.

Karen's Tasha and Keegan enjoy the furnace vent © Karen Sable

by Karen  Sable, Guest Columnist

Winter is upon us and, while Western Pennsylvania has so far been spared any brutally cold weather or major blizzards, we know our luck can’t last, and that another “Snowmaggedon” could be just around the corner. In my last article I talked about some of the holiday hazards our pets can encounter. While the holidays have passed, the winter season itself requires some common sense precautions to help keep our furry family members healthy and safe.

Not all pets are “winter hardy”

It’s an unfortunate misconception that cats and dogs are equipped to handle the cold weather because they have fur. The truth is, unless your pet is well adapted to living outdoors, the cold weather can be just as hard on them as it is on us. If your pet normally only leaves the comfort of your home just long enough for a walk or some play time, they are not adapted to spending extended periods of time outdoors, and can become victims of cold injuries just as easily as we can.

A sled dog in his shelter © Karen Sable

A couple of years ago I was lucky enough to spend some time exploring Alaska, and even trekked up across the Arctic Circle. As you might imagine, dog sledding is a common activity throughout the state, and I was able to visit a couple of the kennels that breed and train dogs for races such as the Iditarod. I was initially rather shocked when I saw that all of the dogs are kept outdoors, often in frigid weather.

While that’s certainly very different from what I would normally consider humane, it is a very different culture there, and the dogs are working animals who do adapt to the conditions. It was obvious from their interactions with the dogs that the owners did love them, and they do take certain precautions, such as providing adequate enclosures the dogs can get into to shield them from the wind and which are elevated above the ground. They also feed them specially blended food that is high in calories and heated to make kind of a warm porridge. Even during a long distance race, the mushers pack a small camping stove which they use to warm their dogs’ food. Most of them also put booties on their dogs’ feet, or use a special wax (Musher’s Secret Paw Wax) to protect their feet from the snow and ice. So even for animals who are bred for life in the cold outdoors and are acclimated to harsh conditions, certain precautions are needed to ensure their health and safety.

For those of us with pets who are far more accustomed to snuggling under the covers with us than to braving the cold, it is extremely important that we take precautions during the winter to keep them healthy, and also that we know what to do in the event that they do become the victim of a cold injury, such as frostbite or hypothermia.

Cookie balances on her maiden voyage on the branch.

Minimize outdoor time in cold weather

Obviously the best thing you can do for your pet when the temperature drops is to keep them inside. But if you do allow them outdoors, try to minimize the amount of time they are exposed to the elements. Some animals just by their size don’t do as well in the cold or snow as others. For example, cats and small dogs that essentially have to wade through the snow are less able to tolerate the elements than, say, a Great Dane whose stomach isn’t dragging in the snow when he walks. Likewise, short-haired animals can’t handle the cold as well as those with long or thick fur.

Additionally, your pet’s age and overall health will impact their ability to tolerate cold weather. The very young animals, and the seniors, are more vulnerable to the cold. Likewise, pets with diabetes, endocrine diseases , and many other medical conditions are less able to regulate their own body temperature, and are therefore less able to tolerate exposure to the cold. If your pet has any type of medical condition, it is advisable that you talk to your veterinarian about whether the condition may affect their ability to handle the cold, and what you should do to avoid any problems.

Careful with heat sources indoors and out

Those of us who have cats know that they are very skilled at finding sources of warmth. A laundry basket of clothes fresh from the dryer attracts them like a magnet. If you have forced air heat vents or a fireplace, you know that your cats will claim those spaces as their own. I wondered why, even after getting a new furnace, my house still seemed chilly. Then I realized that my cats had found all of the furnace vents, and were sleeping against them, blocking the flow of warm air to me. They are all nice and toasty, but I have to wear a sweater in the house!

• Warm car engines Because they will seek out places to stay warm, you have to be especially careful if you do allow your cats outside, or if you have ferals or strays near your home or where you park for work or shopping. Every winter there are cases where cats are seriously injured or killed because they climbed up into the warm engine block of a vehicle, and then were caught in the moving engine parts when it was started. While your neighbors may think you’re a bit crazy, it’s always a good idea to rap loudly on the hood of your car, or even blow your horn, before starting the engine. You just may see a very startled cat scurry out from underneath!

• Protected areas outdoors Dogs and cats may also seek shelter in dumpsters, window wells, cellars, sheds, under porches, or even in snow banks, and can become trapped. Be sure to keep an eye on your pets if you do let them outside, and monitor any spaces around your home that could be an inviting shelter for an animal.

• Fireplaces If you light your fireplace or use a space heater, the heat will attract your pets. Make sure your fireplace has a secure screen around it to keep any curious paws or wagging tails from being burned, and be sure to place any space heater where your pets can’t come in direct contact with the heating element, or possibly knock the heater over and cause a fire.

A friend's homemade outdoor cat shelter © B.E. Kazmarski

Build an outdoor shelter

If you absolutely have to leave your pet outside for any extended period or if, like me, you care for strays and ferals, a proper dog house or other enclosure is essential to help them survive the elements. You can purchase a good, insulated pet house, or you can even build your own fairly easily. An on-line search will turn up plans for a variety of different outdoor enclosures.

Whether you buy one or make your own, an important step to take is to add a thick bed of straw inside the enclosure. Straw is far better than blankets, towels, carpets, or even fabric pet beds, since it is a good insulator and does not hold in the moisture.

Another friend's outdoor heated water bowl with one of her feral cats © B.E. Kazmarski

A Water Source

Whether it’s summer or winter, your pets need access to fresh water. Unless you live in a warm climate, you will either have to replace your pet’s water often as it freezes, or take steps to keep their water from freezing. In the winter I simply run an outdoor extension cord to where my feral cat station sits, and I plug in a heated pet dish. Even on the coldest days it provides a welcome source of unfrozen water for the cats, as well as the other critters in my backyard habitat. If you do not provide a source of unfrozen water for your outside pets or any strays you may care for, they are more likely to drink out of puddles or gutters, which unfortunately can be polluted with things like oil, run off from chemical deicers, and even antifreeze.

Arthritis and pets outdoors

If you happen to suffer from arthritis, you know that the cold can be particularly troublesome. Our furry family members are no different. Dogs and cats with arthritis also suffer from stiff and tender joints when it’s cold. They may seem a bit awkward when they walk, and may find it more painful and difficult to climb steps or get up onto furniture. You can make it easier for them by something as simple as placing a small step stool or set of pet steps next to their favorite chair or next to your bed if they share it with you. Providing them with a soft, thick bed in a warm area is beneficial on those cold winter nights.

It’s important to be especially gentle with arthritic pets when it’s cold. Be careful to stay close behind them when they are climbing stairs or jumping onto furniture in case they stumble and fall. Also, be careful when you take them outside for a walk, since they can be badly injured from a fall on the ice. And, whether your pet is young or old, healthy or with some medical issues, when they do come in from the outside, take a few moments to dry them off and to thoroughly clean their legs and paws, especially between the toes. Rock salt, ice, and chemical ice melt can stick to their paw pads and between their toes.

Frostbite and hypothermia

Even if you think you have taken adequate precautions, you still should be alert for the two serious conditions that are caused by exposure to the cold: frostbite and hypothermia. As with a person, when an animal is suffering from frostbite, their body gets cold and the blood is drawn away from their extremities to their central body and vital organs. Without enough blood remaining in the exposed extremities, i.e. their ears, paws, tail, nose, and genitals, those areas of the body can get cold enough that ice crystals actually form in the tissue, causing tissue damage and, in severe cases, tissue death.

Pawprint

While frostbite generally affects the exposed extremities, hypothermia is a condition in which the animal’s core body temperature drops to four or more degrees below normal. Animals suffering from hypothermia are at great risk for frostbite as well due to the action of the body in funneling blood away from the extremities to the internal organs. And, since the tissue damage resulting from frostbite may actually take a few days to become evident, prevention and prompt intervention is all the more important.

One of the first signs that your pet may be suffering from a cold injury is shivering, which is basically a defense mechanism of the body to try and increase the metabolism and help to retain heat.

Other signs include slow, shallow breathing and a decreased heart rate. As the condition progresses, the animal becomes lethargic, and even shivering stops. Areas of the skin with frostbite may be swollen, red, hard, and painful. And, the gums may be pale or even bluish in color. If your pet is showing any signs of a cold injury, it is critical that they be moved into a warm area as quickly as possible and, if wet, that they be dried off. A hair dryer can be used to dry wet fur, just be very careful to keep it at a safe distance to avoid burns. Wrap them in warm towels or blankets. Warming the towels or blankets in the dryer can help, but again you must be careful that they are not too hot. Likewise, a hot water bottle can be used, but it’s best to wrap it in a towel and place it next to, not directly on, the animal. If the animal is conscious and alert enough to safely drink something, you can give them some warm liquid, such as broth. Be careful not to massage or rub the animal’s skin, as that will be painful and, in the case of frostbite, can cause further tissue damage.

Meeko On the Trail © B.E. Kazmarski

And, even if your pet appears to respond well to your care, it is advisable that they been seen by a veterinarian, since the full extent of the injury may not be apparent, and frostbite and hypothermia may well require treatment beyond what you can do yourself.

Just be careful

The winter season is a beautiful time of the year. With just some common sense precautions, you can help to ensure that your pets will be able to enjoy it as much as you do.

Karen with a friend's dog, Sequoia

About Karen Sable
Karen Sable, owner of Pet Emergency Training, LLC, completed the Pet Tech Instructor program in March, 2011 and teaches pet first aid classes in the Pittsburgh area. Karen is a trained responder with several national animal response/rescue teams, including American Humane’s Red Star Animal Emergency Services Team, United Animal Nations’ Emergency Animal Rescue Service, and Noah’s Wish Disaster Response Team. She is also a member of the PA/Allegheny County Animal Response Team, and a volunteer animal rescue transporter.

In addition to having a Veterinary Assistant diploma, Karen’s training certifications include Emergency Animal Sheltering, Large Animal Rescue, Animals in Disaster, Livestock in Disaster, Hazardous Materials, Incident Command and National Incident Management. As a former healthcare Human Resources Director, Karen now devotes her extensive training experience, and love of animals, to teaching pet care professionals and fellow pet parents the skills and knowledge that can save their pets and improve the quality of their pets’ lives. Visit her website at Pet Emergency Training, LLC.

An article by Karen on a timely pet first aid, wellness or disaster rescue topic will appear on The Creative Cat every month.

December 2011: Holiday Pet Safety

November 2011: Senior Pets Make Great Friends!

October 2011: Help Your Pets to Stay Well

October 2011: The Snout-to-Tail Wellness Assessment

September 2011: Are Your Pets Prepared For An Emergency ?

Read more about Karen in The Creative Cat Welcomes Guest Columnist Karen Sable.