Obviously you should try to keep dogs and cats indoors most all the time during the winter, especially when it’s especially cold. But here are some other common sense tips to get them though the winter months:
- When walking your dog, check the paws to make sure that ice is not building up between the toes and that salt from the roads is not irritating the skin. If you walk your dog on sidewalks that have been treated with de-icer, make sure to wash the dog’s paws when you get home; these chemicals can irritate the skin.
- Most outdoor pets need to be brought inside when the weather turns really cold. The ones that can stay outdoors should be given shelter that’s warm and dry, plus additional food for extra energy.
- They also should have fresh water put out a couple of times a day, or consider a special bowl that prevents the water from freezing.
- Brush their coats frequently to prevent moisture from collecting.
- Ingesting anti-freeze can be fatal for your dog or cat. It has a sweet taste and even a tiny amount can cause severe kidney damage and even death. If you spill some, soak it up immediately. (Clay kitty litter works well. Discard the litter once the anti-freeze has been absorbed.)
- When you take your pet outdoors for exercise and play, be aware of the temperature. Pets can get frostbite very easily on the ears, tail and paws.
- If your dog is a swimmer, keep it on a leash around open water or unstable ice. Hypothermia can set in quickly and the dog may be unable to get out of the water.
- To protect other animals too, before you start your car, you should honk the horn to make sure that a cat has not decided to nap in a warm spot under the hood of the vehicle.
Finally be sure and enjoy the season, play in the snow with your dog, then curl up with him by a warm fire – Spring will be here before you know it!
