Our furry friends are particularly vulnerable around this time of year. Here are some tips for how to keep them safe, warm and happy as temperatures drop and snowflakes fall.
- Bathe your pet as little as possible during cold spells
- Increases chances of dry, flaky skin
- Constant change from the cold to the dry heat of your home can exacerbate itchy/flaky skin
- Use a humidifier
- Bathe as little as possible
- Salt
- Make sure they wear booties
- Wipe off any salt when they come indoors — make sure to check your pet’s tummy, too
- Remove ice, salt and caked mud from your pets’ paws/coats immediately
- Pets burn more energy in the winter trying to stay warm
- Ask vet if they should consume extra calories
- Monitor your pets’ weight
- Some pets need less food because they are less active in the winter
- Some pets need additional food because they are burning more calories to stay warm
- Ensure that all pets have access to fresh water and it’s not frozen
- If it’s too cold for you … it’s probably too cold for your pet
- Don’t leave them outside, etc.
- Before walks, apply Vaseline or doggie shoes on your pets’ paws
- Make sure the pet bed is not in a cold/drafty area
- Watch for signs of hypothermia
- Weak pulse
- Dilated pupils
- Decreased heart rate
- Extreme shivering
- Pale/blue mucous membranes
- Stupor/unconsciousness
- Check under your hood/honk your horn before starting your vehicle to ensure no stray animals are around your engine
- Keep pets away from anywhere anti-freeze may be stored or leaking — it is extremely toxic
- Avoid iced over ponds/lakes
- If a pet falls through the ice, it is potentially deadly
If you follow these simple safety tips this winter, you and your pets will be grateful.