WINTER PET SAFETY

winter pet SAFETY Protect your pet from the cold and snow.

BY SUSANNAH MAYNARD

When it’s cold outside for you, it’s also cold outside for your pets. Even though they are covered in fur, that doesn’t mean they are any less susceptible to feeling the cold. Here are some tips for keeping your pets safe during cold, snowy, and wet weather.

Whether your pet is old or young, long-haired or shorthaired, you need to know your pet’s limits when spending time outdoors. Pets that are thin or short-haired tend to feel the cold more, as well as those who are very young or very old. You need to carefully monitor your pet when spending time outdoors in cold weather and make sure to bring them inside before trouble hits. Sweaters and coats, as well as protective footwear, can help keep your pet warm while outdoors. Once temperatures are in the 20s or lower, it’s good to keep outdoor time to a minimum, even for cold-weather breeds. If it’s too cold for you, it’s definitely too cold for them!

If there’s snow on the ground, that usually means there’s also salt or other chemicals used to melt snow and ice. Many of these

products are hazardous for pets, so it’s important to limit your pet’s exposure to them. Protective footwear comes in handy for navigating those salt-encrusted sidewalks. If your pet doesn’t wear protective footwear, make sure to wipe their paws as soon as you come in to remove any chemical residue. If your dog gets wet from the snow, make sure to remove any wet clothing articles and towel-dry them as soon as they are inside.

Prior to starting your car on extremely cold days, make sure to check under the hood or in the wheel wells for cats. Cats stuck outdoors during extreme cold can seek shelter in warm spots, and car engines are one of the prime spots they have access to outside. Another hazard from cars is antifreeze, which can be attractive to dogs and cats looking for something to drink when water bowls and puddles are frozen over. Make sure to clean up any spills from antifreeze and keep containers tightly secured to avoid poisoning.

The bottom line is to keep an eye on your pet and make sure to limit their exposure to extreme cold weather. CP