Winter Precautions for Pets
When the snow falls and the weather cools, do not forget to keep your pet’s safety in mind.
- Keep them inside and do not take them with you on errands. Just as it is dangerous to leave your dog in the car during the summer, so should you refrain from taking your dog out during the winter. Both weather conditions put your dog’s health at risk. No matter what the dog’s age or breed, it is also important to keep them in the house where it is safe and warm. If it is too cold for you, it is too cold for them. Keep walks brisk and avoid spending too much time outside.
- Check their paws and wipe them down after walks. Winter brings many hazards for paws, including road salt and puddles of antifreeze. The pads on their paws may also start bleeding, so be diligent about inspecting them. Wipe your dog’s entire body down to help them dry off and get rid of anything harmful sticking to their fur.
- Don’t have them shaved. Their fur helps them stay warm. To avoid mud and snow clump buildup after spending time outside, have your pet trimmed, instead.
- Clean up the antifreeze as quickly as possible. Antifreeze is essential for winter driving, but it’s incredibly dangerous for pets. Animals are attracted to antifreeze because of its sweet taste, but they can become very ill or even die in some cases after licking it off your garage floor. If you use antifreeze, be very careful and make sure your pet can’t reach the bottle.
- Stay away from ice. It is not just slippery for humans – dogs can get hurt, too. Never attempt to walk across a frozen lake or river with your pet. You never know when you will walk over a vulnerable spot and fall right in. If you are not sure about something, do not chance it.
- Bundle up. Get your buddy a nice coat, even if they are only going to spend a few minutes outside in the yard. Some people, in an attempt to protect their pet’s paws from the elements, also invest in booties.
- Avoid baths. This does not mean you should go the entire winter without bathing your dog, but do not overdo it, and certainly do not put your dog outside when they are still wet. When you do bathe your dog, do so inside and not outside in the cold and snow.
