It is so important to ensure that your dog continues to get exercise, even in the winter months.  But with the colder temps, there are new safety concerns that need to be taken into account.  

Salt that is put down on sidewalks and roads to act as a deicer can be dangerous for your pup!  These chemicals can cause irritation in their paws after walking on walkways and internal medical issues if ingested even from licking their paws post walk.  To keep your canine friend safe, take the following precautions when you go out for a walk:

• Bring a towel on walks. When taking your dog for a walk, be sure to wipe its paws off when you get home, before your dog has time to lick its salt-covered paws. You could even dip the paws in warm water before wiping them off if they have been through a truly saturated area. This will keep the salt and chemicals from sitting on the pup’s skin and will also decrease the amount that they may be able to ingest by licking their paws.  
• Trim the nails and hair around the paws. When your dog’s hair around its paws is long it can form ice balls between their toes, causing pain to your pup. It is also important that your dog’s nails are trimmed. Long nails make it easier for snow and ice to get in between the paw pads.
• Dog boots. Another good way to protect those precious paws is by purchasing boots for your dog. Dog boots can be easily found at pet retailers. Boots will keep your furry friend’s feet dry and away from salt and snow, plus they will not get as much into their fur for later licking!
• Paw balm. You can use a paw balm on your pup’s paws before and after you take them for a walk. The balm reduces dryness, keeps paws soft, and protects from salt and ice. 

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Check out our post over the rest of the month for other tips to keep your dog warm and healthy in the winter.

The holidays are jam packed with fun activities, family, and festive decorations!  While these times are great fun for us humanoids, they can be dangerous for our pet family.  Check out these tips to keep your pet safe this season:

​1.  Decorations:
Whatever holiday is being celebrated (Hanukkah, Kwanzaa, Christmas, or New Year’s) we love to decorate!  Unfortunately, all the new things we bring into our homes can be dangerous for Fido and Fluffy.  Often these new items are potential toys to our furry friends.  Chewing on them can cause mouth lacerations, while eating them can cause digestive blockages.  Both likely resulting in a trip to the emergency vet.  Block off new and interesting decorations from your pet family or consider decorating in a room that can be closed off when you are not able to monitor your pet’s activities.  Some specific dangers to pay particular attention to include:
 
Confetti from New Year’s celebrations can cause intestinal blockage if eaten by your pet.

Christmas Tree water from pines, spruces and firs often contains pesticide residue.  The sap in some trees is also toxic to pets.  Make sure they can not access the tree’s water reservoir.

Pets will often investigate your Christmas Tree.  Ensure that it is well supported by the stand and tie the top to a hook in the ceiling with fishing line to prevent it from falling during your fur family’s explorations.  Check that the bolts in the base are tight every few days as they can loosen over time.

Tinsel is especially tempting to pets.  Eating tinsel can lead to intestinal problems including blockages.

Many plants are poisonous to pets.  Avoid placing holly, mistletoe, and poinsettias where pets can chew on them.

Lights pose a problem if pets chew on them or their cords.  They can also become tangled in them and potentially be strangled.  Make sure they are not accessible to your pet.

2.  Gifts
We often exchange gifts with family, friends, and neighbors at this time of year.  Keep these out of reach of your pets until you know what is in them.  It would be a real bummer if Fido at that fancy chocolate you didn’t even know was there and had to be rushed to the vet!  By keeping presents in a location inaccessible to your pet until it is time to open them, you’ll ensure that you got the chocolate, not Fido!

3.  Food
Your furry friend is likely interested in tasting the delicious food surrounding them.  Be aware some of it is very poisonous to them!  Be especially aware or grapes, raisins, chocolate, and alcohol.  Left over bones from your meal should not be shared with your pet.  They splinter as your pet chews them and can cause cuts in the mouth and lacerations to their intestines as they travel though the digestive track. 
Food bags should not be left alone with pets as they may stick their head inside to eat the leftovers or simply lick the residue.  This can lead to suffocation in just minutes as the bag suctions onto their head. 

4. Socializing
While many pets enjoy the extra company and noise that comes with the season, some do not.  And some pets that are normally very social could become overwhelmed.  If your pet is showing signs of stress or acting oddly provide them with a break in a room away from the noise and stimulation.  The last thing anyone wants is to need to doctor a bite to a family member or friend.  
The Holiday Season is a time filled with joy and excitement for many of us.  Make sure to keep your beloved pets safe during this time by following the advice above!
 
Additional information can be found at:
Pet MD “10 Pet Safety Tips for the Holidays”
ASPCA “Holiday Safety Tips”
Dog Time “6 Helpful Christmas Safety Tips for Pet Owners”
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Winter can be a dangerous time for pets.  Keep these recommendations in mind during the cold months to keep your pets healthy and happy.

• Provide a warm place for your pet to sleep.  A place away from drafts and off the floor is ideal.  A cozy cat or dog bed is perfect.
• If it is too cold for you, it is probably too cold for your pet.  Keep them indoors.  If left outside, pets can freeze or become ill. 
• Do not leave pets in cars, they can act as a refrigerator intensifying the cold.
• Coolant and anti-freeze are lethal to your pet.  Clean up spills immediately and if possible, keep your pet out of spaces where the chemicals are stored.
• Salt and other chemicals can get on your pet’s paws or belly during time outside.  Wipe them off when they come inside.  Petroleum jelly can also be massaged into their paws to provide protection before heading outside.  Booties are another good option.
• Coming in from outside repeatedly can cause itchy dry skin for your pet, just like it can for you.  Drying off paws and bodies when they come in and keeping your home humidified can help.
• If you are going on a long walk, bring a towel along to remove irritating ice clumps from between their toes.
• Do not shave your pet in the winter, the extra fur helps keep them warm in the cold months.
• Bathe your pet only when necessary in the winter as baths remove essential oils and can increase their chances of having dry, itchy skin.
• If your pet spends a lot of time outside, they might need additional calories to replace the ones lost while attempting to remain warm.  Consider providing a bit of extra food.

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Adapted from https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/cold-weather-safety-tips
Photo from www.freepik.com