Winter Tips for Pets

Christmas and New Year’s Eve are just around the corner and the weather is getting colder every day. Old man winter has finally arrived! Here are some simple ways to get you and your pet cold-weather-ready!

When winterizing your house keep your pet in mind. Antifreeze or Ethylene Glycol is extremely poisonous to our paw legged pals. As little as 1-2 teaspoons can be lethal to a small animal, so make sure to clean up any spills. Ice melt/Salt is a skin irritant for dogs. Remember to thoroughly clean your pet’s paws and foot pads when they come into the house. If your dog has short legs or is long-haired, it’s a good idea to wipe their stomach area.

There are many important cautions for walking your dog during winter. Make sure you keep your pet on a leash, as more dogs go missing in this season than any other. When taking your pet for extended trips into the cold, look out for Hypothermia. If not treated quickly, hypothermia can be life threatening.  The signs include but are not limited to:

• Shivering
• Shallow breathing
• Weak pulse
• Lethargy

Watch out for Frostbite. Signs include: discolored skin (red, pale, or grayish), swelling, or blisters. The most common occurrences for Frostbite are:

• Ears
• Tail
• Scrotum
• Feet

When grooming your pet during the cold seasons, keep their fur longer so they are warmer.  If you decide to give your fur-baby a bath, make sure he or she is completely dry before going outside. You may even want to think about switching to dry shampoo. If you

Follow these simple tips you and your pet will be ready for anything! Do you have any tips we didn’t mention? Share it with us on our Facebook page here