Winter Safety Tips
Brrr…it’s cold outside! The winter months can be brutally cold, and even bring on some snow. Though it may be fun for us there are hidden dangers that follow with cold weather and snow. The following tips will help keep your pet safe, healthy, and happy.
1) It’s best to keep your cat inside. Outdoor cats can freeze, become lost or be stolen, and injured or killed.
2) Cats that stay outside during the cold season tend to crawl into car engines or vents to stay warm. Be sure to bang on the hood of your car before starting up your engine to give the cat a chance to escape.
3) Thoroughly wipe off your dog’s legs, feet and stomach when they come in out of the snow or ice. They can ingest salt, antifreeze or other dangerous chemicals while licking their paws. Be sure to check the pads of their feet for encrusted ice as they tend to crack from the cold. Though it might look silly,
putting boots on your dogs feet will protect it from the cold and ice.
4) Antifreeze is a deadly chemical to pets and it tastes like candy if they manage to find some. If your car leaks any fluids, be sure to wash it down so your animals don’t get into it. When out on walks, be sure that your pet does not get into other driveways that may have antifreeze spills.
5) Dogs should not be shaved down to the skin during the winter months. The more fur they have the warmer they will be. For short coated breeds they should always wear a coat or sweater when they go outside. If you bathe your dog during the winter, be sure to dry them off completely before they go outside.
6) Never leave your pet in the car during cold weather. A car can act as a refrigerator, holding in the cold and causing the animal to freeze to death.
7) Puppies should not be left outside during cold winter months. They are not as tolerant of the cold as adult dogs. Paper-training is a good idea during the cold months when they are having a difficult time adjusting to weather.
8) When your dog spends most of their time outside be sure to increase their food so they can store the proper amount of fat to stay warm.
9) Be sure that your pet has a warm place to sleep if left outside for any amount of time. Dog’s should have a dog house, straw or blankets placed inside and around the opening, and the area should be kept as dry as possible. They should also have clean water at all times. If their water is constantly freezing into one big ice cube then be sure to change it frequently through out the day.
10) When the temperature gets below freezing, bring your pet inside! Even with thick fur they can be intolerant to the cold and wind and are prone to hypothermia and even frostbite.