Winter Safety

Cats and dogs need protection from winter weather both inside and outside of the home.  They are vulnerable to extreme cold, ice and snow. Dogs should be kept inside from the harsh weather and walks on leashes outside as needed. If you are cold, your pet is cold. Consider buying them a pet sweater. Both and short-haired and long-haired dogs are equally susceptible to the cold weather.

Animals who do live outside or stay outside a lot in the winter they will use more energy to stay warm and will require more food. Be careful not to over-feed them so that they gain weight and become over-weight.

Cats may crawl up under your car seeking shelter and warmth near the engine after parking your car. They may become caught in the fan belt and suffer serious injury when someone starts the engine. Cats also like to climb on top of the tires seeking warmth from the cars breaking system. Before starting your car slap the hood and/or honk the horn the scare them away from the vehicle.

Antifreeze has a sweet taste, and pets think this tastes good. Antifreeze is however a deadly poison. Keep all antifreeze secure in safe locations and be aware of any antifreeze puddle that you and your pet may encounter, such as those found in parking lots or your garage from radiator drainage in cars. If you suspect your pet has consumed antifreeze please seek veterinary assistance immediately.

Animals may potentially suffer from frostbite and hypothermia. Frostbite is most commonly seen on paws of your pets. Symptoms may not appear until a few days after the exposure. Signs of frostbite are swollen paws and your pet fussing over the area. If this happens, take your pet to your veterinarian immediately. Do not apply hot object to the area as this may cause more damage.

Wash the pads of your pets’ feet:  Pets that go outside can pick up rock salt, ice and chemicals on their foot pads.  After a walk, wipe the feet of your pet with a washcloth.  This will keep their pads from getting chapped and will also prevent inflammation of the digestive tract that may result from licking the salt.

Report neglected animals: If you suspect an animal is being left outside for too long without proper protection from the elements, report it to the SPCA immediately!