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- Never let your dog off the leash on snow or ice. They can lose their scent & easily become lost.
- More dogs are lost during the winter than any other season so make sure they always wear I.D. tags that are current!
- Never shave your dog down to the skin in the winter. Leave the coat long for more warmth.
- Never bathe your dog outside in the winter.
- Antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs. Visit the A.S.P.C.A poison control center for more information.
- Thoroughly wipe off dogs paws, legs & stomach when he comes in from sleet, snow or ice. He can ingest salt, antifreeze, or other chemicals while licking his paws, and his paw pads may also bleed from snow or ice.
- A temperature of 10 degrees Fahrenheit or below is too cold for any pet to tolerate. The physical stress of cold temperatures can make pets more susceptible to illness or infection. A pet that is very young, old or ill, will have even less tolerance for the cold. If an animal gets wet and there is a severe wind chill, frostbite becomes a hazard.
- Conditions like diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease & hormonal imbalances can compromise a pet's ability to regulate their own body heat.
- If you live near a pond or lake, be very cautious about letting your dog run off leash. They can easily fall through the ice & it is very difficult for them to escape on their own.
- Be particularly gentle with elderly & arthritic pets. The cold can leave their joints extremely stiff & tender and they may become more awkward than usual.
- If you walk them outside, a bad slip on the ice could be very painful and cause a significant injury.
- Frostbite usually occurs on the ears, paws or tail however the tissue does not show signs of damage to it for several days. If you suspect frostbite, see your veterinarian immediately.
- Hypothermia or a body temperature that is below normal is a condition that occurs when an animal is not able to keep their body temperature from falling below normal. It happens when animals spend too much time in cold temperatures, or when animals with poor health or circulation are exposed to cold. In mild cases, animals will shiver & show signs of depression, lethargy, and weakness. As the condition progresses, the animal's muscles will stiffen, the heart and breathing rates will slow down and they will stop responding to stimuli. If you notice these symptoms, wrap the animal in a blanket to keep warm & get to your veterinarian immediately.
- Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather the animal could freeze to death. Cars can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold.
- Take extra care with puppies. They can not tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs.
- During the winter, outdoor cats sometimes sleep under the hood of cars for warmth. When the motor is started, the cat can be injured or killed. Before starting the engine, bang loudly on the car hood to give the cat a chance to escape.
- Do you own a short haired breed? Consider getting them a coat or sweater that covers the neck & the belly underneath. Although it may seem like a luxury, for many dogs it is a necessity to keep the internal organs warm & avoid frostbite.
- If you light a fire or plug in a space heater, your dog will be attracted to the heat. Keep an eye out to make sure that no tails or paws come in contact with the flames, heating coils or hot surfaces. Pets can either burn themselves or knock a hear source over & put the entire household in danger. Have your furnace checked for carbon monoxide before you turn it on. Carbon monoxide is odorless & invisible, but it can lead to monoxide poisoning.
- Make sure your pets water is not frozen.
- When you are outside with your dog during winter, you can watch them for signs of discomfort with the cold. If they whine, shiver, seem anxious, slow down, stop moving, or start to look for warm places to burrow, they're saying they want to get back to some place warm.
- Winter is one of the best times for dogs to have fun. If you take some precautions, you both can have a wonderful time playing and exercising in the cold!
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