Winter weather can be dangerous to our outdoor pets. It's important to be aware of the risks that can come with the colder temperatures, and make sure to keep your pets safe! Metro Animal Care and Control offers the following safety tips to keep your pet safe and comfortable in the cold weather.
- Make sure your pet always has access to water. Especially if you have any pets living outside, it's important to make sure that their water source doesn't freeze over. You may have to change water bowls more often, or bring outdoor pets inside when it gets too cold.
- Antifreeze, Ethylene Glycol, is poisonous to pets. Antifreeze has a sweet smell and taste that attracts many animals. Make sure to always clean up any leaks from your car. If you think your pet may have been exposed to this potentially deadly substance, call your veterinarian or poison control center.
- Don't leave your pet outdoors unattended. If your pet does go outdoors, make sure they are wearing their ID tags. Pets can become disoriented outdoors, especially during snow storms. They may become lost and confused as to how to find their way back home. Cats left outdoors will often hide in potentially dangerous locations, such as inside car hoods. Before starting your car, bang on the hood to scare off any animals that might be hiding inside.
- Check your pets paws for ice and road salt. Clean your pets paws after a walk outside, or have your pet wear boots while outside. Pieces of ice can cut your pets paws, and some types of salts used to melt ice on streets and sidewalks can burn your pet's paws and is also toxic if ingested.
- Give your pet a place to stay warm. Make sure your pet has a comfy bed somewhere in the house where they can go to relax and keep warm. This should be away from windows and doors, where drafts can occur.
- Monitor your pet's diet. Especially if your pet is active, they may spend more calories in the colder months than they would if it were warmer. Animals bodies expend energy to keep warm in the cold. You may need to increase your pets daily amount of food to compensate for this.
- Remember that extreme temperatures may be harder on pets that are very young or very old. Adjust your winter care of your pet accordingly. Pay special attention to your pet if it is young or elderly, as the cold weather may be especially uncomfortable for them. For pets in these age groups, limit time outside.
- Make sure to monitor any medical conditions your pet might have. Just like with humans, pets may be more likely to get sick in the colder months. If your pet has a medical condition, make sure to monitor it closely in the winter time. The cold weather can lower your pets immune system, as well as aggravate chronic conditions such as arthritis.
- If your dog is sensitive to the cold due to age, illness or breed type, take him outdoors only to relieve himself/herself.