Winter Pet Safety

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