Winter Weather Safety

With the winter weather in full force, let’s review cold weather safety for your pets. Winter weather can create many hazards for your pets, such as icy sidewalks, salt exposure, and frigid cold temperatures. To keep your pets safe, remember to keep your pet on a leash when walking on icy sidewalks. This will protect your pet from slipping which can cause injuries to ligaments, bones, and muscles. Wipe your pet’s feet when they come inside to remove salt from their pads, and use “pet safe” salt when possible. Lastly, bundle up your pets when the wind chill falls and keep them inside out of the elements as much as possible.

On a personal note, my dog, Millie, slipped on a patch of slush on our sidewalk a couple weeks ago. The poor girl broke her two front teeth in the fall! Luckily, she has healed nicely from her dental extractions and has made a full recovery. Accidents happen when the weather provides hazards, and I hope this advice minimizes cold weather scares for your pets!

When the weather outside is frightful, your pets could be at risk! Remember these tips to keep your pets safe this winter:

• Know your dog’s limits!
  Some dogs are more susceptible to the cold than others.
  Short-coated, thin, elderly, or very young dogs get cold more quickly – so adjust the amount of time they stay outside! If your dog enjoys being outdoors and you will be outside longer than a few minutes, consider outfitting it with a sweater or coat to keep it warm. Hypothermia and frostbite pose major risks to dogs in winter, so remember, if it is too cold for you, it is probably too cold for your dog!
• Wipe their paws!
  During winter walks, your dog’s paws can pick up all kinds of toxic chemicals – salt, antifreeze, or de-icers. Be sure to wipe off your dog’s paws when you return from walks to prevent him from licking it off and becoming sick. Purchase pet-safe de-icers for your home for an extra level of safety. And when wiping off your dog’s paws, remember to check for signs of injury, such as cracked or bleeding paws.
• Avoid the ice!
  When walking your dog, be sure to avoid frozen lakes and ponds. Your dog could be seriously hurt or even killed if the ice breaks.
• Leave them home!
  Just as hot cars are dangerous for pets in the summer, cold cars pose a threat as well! Only take your pets in the car if it is necessary, and never leave them unattended.
• Be seen!
  Due to Daylight Savings, many of us are relegated to walking our dogs in the dark. Keep yourself and your dog are safe by wearing reflective gear (clothing, leash, collar, etc) and keeping your dog close when walking on the street.
• Avoid spills!
  Antifreeze attracts cats and dogs because it is very sweet to taste, but it is extremely poisonous and can cause serious illness or death when ingested. Be sure to clean up any antifreeze that spills in your garage and keep the bottle somewhere your pets cannot access.
• Be prepared!
  Winter brings extreme weather that can cause power outages. Have an emergency plan and make sure they include your pets! Have an emergency kit with enough food, water, and medication to last your pets at least five days. Most likely you will never need it, but if you do, you will be thankful you planned ahead!