Winter Pet Safety continued

In continuing with our Winter Pet Safety Series with Best Friends, this week we're going to talk about caring for your pets in the winter. All the *little things* we don't always think about.......


During deep snows, shovel out a potty spot for your dog, Especially the little ones. You can't expect them to relieve themselves in snow too deep for them to even walk through!

Keep your dogs and cats away from the anti-freeze. In the winter, car owners break out the anti-freeze to ensure that their vehicles will start, Cats and dogs are attracted to the sweet smell and taste of anti-freeze but it is deadly. Even in small amounts. Keep a close eye on your pets while they are outside and never allow them to lick anything off the street or driveway.
An animal poisoned by anti-freeze may appear to be intoxicated, having trouble with balance and co ordination. If you suspect your pet has ingested anti-freeze, don't watch and wait. Take it to the vet or animal hospital immediately. Kidney failure can set in within 24 hours.
Limit exposure to the cold. Dogs and cats build up winter coats over time. If your pet spends most of the time indoors, it may not have had a chance to develop a thicker coat. Let your pet develop tolerance to the cold slowly by limiting outdoor time at the beginning of the season.

Streets and sidewalks can irritate his/her paws. Once the snow begins to fall, city streets and sidewalks are often coated in salt and sand that can irritate their paws. Upon returning home (or letting them back in if you have a fenced yard), wipe the snow and ice off of your dog's feet legs and belly. Little ice cubes can form in sensitive spaces between the toes and toe pads. Remove the ice carefully with your fingers since it may cling to the hairs between the paws. Wiping off your dog will remove any salt, anti-freeze or other harmful chemicals that he or she could ingest when licking the paws.
If your dog lifts its paws and whines during walks or when out in your snow covered yard, they may be uncomfortably cold and may even have snow balls stuck to the pads of their feet.

Consider keeping a container of warm water and cloths by the door for use after walks. It is a good idea to rinse the paws before you wipe them dry because lime rock salt and calcium chloride salt can irritate the foot pads and cause vomiting and diarrhea when licked. Dunking in the water will also dissolve ice and remove mud. Antifreeze can be fatal to your pets! Always act responsibly and put the needs of your pet and the environment ahead of personal convenience. Try to use only Pet Friendly Ice Melt products, instead of traditional rock salt of calcium chloride. Keep the hair trimmed from between the toes and on the pads to help ensure no snow sticks to the bottoms of their feet. If you are unable to do this or uncertain how to safely, please visit our Best Friends groomers. They will be happy to help keep your pets safe this winter with proper grooming.
If possible, keep cats inside during the winter months. Their highly independent nature makes them hard to supervise outside. Cats can be frostbitten on their paws and ears in very cold weather. They may also crawl under the hoods of cars for warmth, a potentially deadly situation.

Most owners who take their dogs for walks do so on a leash (most areas have leash law ordinances anyway). Be especially vigilant on this during snow storms and do not let them off leash. They may want to play, but they can easily lose their scent and become lost in the snow. Make sure your dogs have their ID tags on before you take them out in the snow. Consider a safer play environment while you work. It will also cut down on the amount of frigid walks you need to take with your pet on play days! Best Friends Doggie DayCamp is a perfect way for them to burn off energy, get their play time in and not have to be out in the snow all day.

Notice whether your home has drafty areas and move their beds and dishes away from them. The floor can be very cold, even in a warm home. If your pet has not already invaded your bed, make sure he/she has a bed or cushion to sleep on to protect it from the cold floors.
The easiest way to think about what your pets need for winter safety is, if it would feel bad to you, it probably feels bad to them as well!

Contributing to this article:
Kyle Raun; University of Minnesota, Veterinary Medicine
University Commons; Naperville Illinois
Partners for Animal Welfare