Pet Safety Tips for Cold Weather

It is best to keep your pets indoors when temperatures fall

The best practice to keep your pet safe during the cold winters is to keep your dog or cat inside with you and your family. The happiest dogs are taken out frequently for walks and exercise but kept inside the rest of the time.
PLEASE don’t leave pets outdoors when the temperature drops. No matter what the temperature is, wind-chill can threaten a pet’s life. Pets are sensitive to severe cold and are at risk for frostbite and hypothermia during extreme cold snaps. Exposed skin on noses, ears and paw pads can quickly freeze and suffer permanent damage.

Be careful with cats, wildlife and cars
Warm engines in parked cars attract cats and small wildlife, which may crawl up under the hood. To avoid injuring any hidden animals, bang on your car’s hood to scare them away before starting your engine.

Protect your dog’s paws from ice and salt
Salt and other chemicals used to melt snow and ice can irritate the pads of your pet’s feet. Wipe all paws with a damp towel before your pet licks them and irritates his/her mouth. When going for walks, if your dog allows, put boots on to protect their feet. If there is ice on the sidewalks be sure to watch your pet closely, the ice can cut the pads of their fee.

Put a coat on
If an animal’s coat gets wet, the fur loses much of its insulating ability. If your dogs has short fur or this fur you will want to at least put a sweater on. Better yet, would be to put a warm jacket on the dog.

Remembers if it’s too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for your pet!