Winter is an exciting time for many people, with holidays and winter sports to look forward to. However, the cold months of winter can present many problems for our four-legged friends. Nevertheless, there are ways for you to keep your pet warm and safe during the winter, and these methods are described below.
Keeping Pets Warm in Winter Tips
As a rule, if you are cold, your pet is probably cold too. As such, during cold weather, you should keep your dog or cat indoors with you. Additionally, limit your pet’s time outdoors when it is cold outside. Other things you can do to ensure that your pet stays warm are listed below:
- Invest in Cat or Dog Clothes Such as Sweaters and Booties
- Provide a Warm Bed or Blanket and Place it in a Draft-Free Area of Your Home
- Walk Your Dog During the Warmest Time of the Day
- Do Not Keep Pets in Your Garage
- Prevent Frostbite in Dogs and Cats
Heaters and Fireplaces
When pets lay too close to fireplaces or various heaters, their fur can become extremely hot and there is a real danger of burns. As such, make sure you keep heaters out of reach of your pet. Additionally, place a grate around fireplaces to prevent accidental burns from coals or sparks. Just as you would keep heat sources away from children, keep them away from your dog or cat.
Road Salt
If you live in an area that gets a lot of snow, you most likely have trucks that spread salt on your roads. This salt can become encrusted on your pet’s feet and irritate the skin. Additionally, if your dog or cat ingests the salt, it can upset their digestive system. As such, you may want to consider investing in booties for your pet to protect its feet.
Antifreeze Poisoning in Pets
Antifreeze poisoning in pets ( dogs and cats ) can be deadly if your pet consumes even a small amount of it. Unfortunately, antifreeze can be found most everywhere during the winter. Always keep antifreeze containers locked away, and immediately clean up any spills. Do not allow your pet to roam as there may be antifreeze spills in a neighbor’s driveway. Learn here how to prevent Antifreeze Poisoning in Cats and Antifreeze Poisoning in Dogs.
Carbon monoxide poisoning in pets
Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Pets is also quite common during cold weather as clogged heating vents, dirty kerosene heaters and improperly vented heating systems can create this deadly gas. As such, make sure that you keep your heating source clean and properly vented. Furthermore, be sure to invest in a carbon monoxide detector for every level of your home.
Holiday Dangers
The holidays bring many dangers for your pet as well: tips for Keeping Pets Safe during Holidays. From foods and plants that can be toxic to animals to decorations that can harm them, you will want to take steps to ensure your pet’s safety. Some of the things you can do to make sure your dog or cat remains safe during the holidays are listed below:
- Do Not Feed Your Pet Any Food that is Meant for Humans
- Keep Holiday Plants Out of Reach of Your Pet
- Do Not Put Tinsel on Your Christmas Tree
- Hang Glass Ornaments Out of Reach of Your Pet
- Place Your Christmas Tree in a Room that is Inaccessible to Your Pet
- Put Your Pet in a “Safe Room” During Festivities
With the onset of winter, comes many dangers for your furry friend. However, there are ways you can keep your dog or cat safe if you simply follow the tips outlined above. When you follow this advice, you can enjoy the cold months of winter, without worrying about your pet’s safety.
