Winter can be a dangerous time for your pets, and PetravelR™ wants to share these important tips for keeping them safe and healthy in the cold weather:

• Keep your dog or cat indoors and out of the elements as much as possible in the cold weather, and remember that even if the temperature is above freezing, windchill can threaten your pet’s life.

• Despite their fur coats, dogs and cats are sensitive to severe cold and are susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia, just like humans.  Be alert to signs of exposure, such as whining, shivering, appearing anxious, slowing down or stopping movement, or looking for places to burrow.
• Paw pads, nose, ears, and tail are at the greatest risk for frostbite and can suffer permanent damage.  Check these areas on your dog for frostbite after each walk – if the skin stays pale and cold even after coming back inside, or if you see swelling and redness, these are signs of frostbite and you should immediately consult your veterinarian.
• Longer-haired and thick-coated dog breeds, such as huskies are more tolerant of cold weather – but should never be left outdoors for long periods in freezing temperatures.  Short-haired pets feel the cold faster and short-legged dogs may become cold faster because bodies are more likely to come into contact with snow-covered ground.  These dogs often need the added protection of a coat or sweater for cold weather walks.  It’s a good idea to have a few, so that you always have a dry one available when taking your dog outside, because a wet coat or sweater can be worse than none at all.

Photo courtesy of the Rhode Island SPCA

• If your pet suffers from diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, or hormonal imbalances (such as Cushing’s disease), he or she may be even more susceptible to problems from temperature extremes.  Arthritic and elderly pets can have difficulty walking on snow-covered or icy ground, are can be prone to slipping and falling on slick surfaces.
• Salt and other chemicals used to melt snow and ice can irritate paw pads, and licking the chemicals off their feet can make an animal seriously ill.  There are pet-safe de-icers available, but unfortunately not everyone uses these products on their sidewalks and driveways.  So be vigilant about washing or thoroughly wiping your pet’s feet with warm water immediately following every trip outside.  It is also a good idea to make a habit of checking your dog or cat’s feet on a regular basis after they come in from outside to be sure that the footpads and toes are clean and free of abrasions.  Look for signs of cold-weather injuries, such as cracked foot pads or bleeding.  Sudden lameness during a walk could be caused by an injury or by the accumulation of ice between the toes.

Photo courtesy of petMD

• Consider purchasing canine booties to protect your dog’s foot pads.  Booties can also keep hard snow and ice from accumulating between your dog’s toes.  If your dog won’t tolerate booties, another option is Musher’s Secret, a waxy substance that can be applied to your dog’s paws to help protect toes and paw pads outdoors.
• Another potentially fatal winter hazard is antifreeze or engine coolant.  While many coolant manufacturers have changed their formula so that they do not have a sweet taste, many antifreeze products on the market still have a sweet smell and taste that can attract animals, who will lap up any spills on the ground.  The main ingredient of many antifreeze solutions is ethylene glycol, an extremely toxic chemical that can cause severe nervous system and kidney damage within a short period after ingestion.  Coolants and antifreeze made with propylene glycol are less toxic, but they can still sicken pets and wildlife if ingested.  Be sure to clean up all antifreeze spills - even small ones – immediately and thoroughly, and watch for any sign of antifreeze spills where you walk your dog.
• Pets are just as likely to get dehydrated in the winter as they are in the summer, so give your dog plenty of fresh water both before and after a winter walk.

Watch this video from HSUS for more winter pet care tips -

From your friends at PetravelR™

Sources:  Humane Society of the United States; petMD; American Veterinary Medical Association; Caitlin Scott for Better Homes & Gardens