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In June I posted about the dangers of heatstroke for animals. Now that we’ve entered the opposite extreme of seasonal weather, I’d like to take a look at ways to keep our pets safe when it’s cold outside. The ASPCA has a list of several things to remember when looking after pets in the winter.
Just as leaving a dog in the car is dangerous in the heat the same is true in the cold. Especially when it isn’t sunny outside, cars trap the cold and can drop to dangerous freezing temperatures. If you must leave your pet in the car in the winter, be sure not to do so for more than a minute or two.
Dogs and cats can get sick from many of the products we use to fight the ice, such as antifreeze and melting salt. Pet proofing a house is quite similar to baby proofing; be sure to keep any such products out of a pet’s reach.
Related to that, if you see any antifreeze or other melting chemical spills in or outside your house, clean them up immediately if there is any chance your pet might come into contact with them. The ASPCA has a poison control center webpage if you’re ever unsure about anything your pet may have consumed.
Thoroughly wipe the paws of your dog or outdoor cat when brought inside. If the pet came into contact with snow or ice, wipe its legs and stomach as well. This way you can clean your pet’s paws and fur of any dangerous melting chemicals with which it may have come into contact, before the pet licks itself and ingests them.
Winter is also the season with the highest rate of lost dogs. When snow blankets the ground it also dampens a dog’s sense of smell, especially during a snowstorm. Make sure all of your pets have ID tags with contact information, or are microchipped, and be extra careful when you take your pets outside. Don’t let your dog off its leash, and if you are concerned about your cat losing its way, don’t let it outside during heavy snow.
Outdoor cats can experience other dangers during cold weather. Sometimes outdoor cats will crawl under the hoods of cars to sleep in the warmth. If you have any outdoor cats or know of any in your area, bang on the hood of your car before turning it on to chase away any cats that might have used your car for a cozy nap.
A dog that spends a lot of time outdoors in the winter needs extra protein in its diet. Up its meal rations, or add extra protein to its food, which will help keep the dog, its fur in particular, in good condition. You can purchase special protein-enriched food for dogs, or just give your dog a few small pieces of cooked chicken or other high-in-protein foods with its meals.
Finally, perhaps one of the most obvious tips on the list: if you have a short-haired dog, consider getting it a sweater for when you take it outside. If you’re not sure whether or not your pet needs layers in addition to its fur during the winter, take a moment to observe it next time you’re on a walk. If your dog’s shaking a lot, it might need a sweater.
Winter presents many of the same dangers to pets as it does to humans, so be sure you’ve made preparations for your entire household to get through the colder months.
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