Cold weather safety for your pets
It may seem like we just said goodbye to summer, but winter is just around the corner! Whether your pet loves rolling in the snow or cuddling on your lap, your pup will still need to go out for walks and elimination breaks. Now’s the time to stock up on winter gear and take care of grooming that will help keep your pet protected from the elements this coming winter.
Grooming. Avoid clipping your pet’s haircoat as winter approaches. The extra insulation helps keep your pet warm on cold winter days. However, it’s important to keep the haircoat groomed and mat-free (mats can trap moisture), and to keep the hair on your dog’s feet trimmed to prevent ice balls from forming between their toes. Ice balls can be very painful to walk on.
Booties. Now’s the time to start training your pet to wear booties! Many dogs are not a fan, but they help protect your dog’s paws from salt, ice balls and cold temperatures. When shopping for booties, be sure to try them on for the best fit. Make sure they’re easy to get on and off—but not too easy! You don’t your pet to kick them off as soon as you strap them on. If you can’t convince your dog to wear booties, try a protective balm.
Protective balms. Much like lip balm, paw balms are available for your dog’s pads. Applied onto your pet’s paw pads, balms create a protective barrier between the icy and salt-covered sidewalks and your pet’s delicate paws. After your walk, wipe their paws off with a damp towel, removing any salt residue. Massage another thin layer of the balm into your pet’s pads to help keep them conditioned and soft.
Coats and sweaters. Not all dogs need an extra layer for warmth—Siberian huskies and Alaskan Malamutes have a built-in winter coat, but some dogs, especially those that are short haired or smaller sized, need a sweater or coat on cold winter days. Coats are better on rainy or snowy days, as they help to keep your dog warm and dry—a wet dog is a cold dog and even dogs are susceptible to hypothermia. On extremely cold days, shorten your walks and pay attention to your dog: shivering, crying or yelping and tugging at the leash are signs that your dog needs to go home.
Salt and deicers. Avoid using salt and deicers on your walkways and avoid heavily salted sidewalks and roads. In addition to being toxic if consumed (directly eaten off the ground or licked off paws once inside), these chemicals are harsh on your pet’s pads. Wash or wipe your dog’s paws with warm water to remove the chemicals so there’s no residue to lick off.
Antifreeze. Ethylene glycol, or antifreeze, prevents your engine’s cooling system from freezing on cold winter days…and it has a sweet taste that many animals find irresistible. Unfortunately, it only takes a small amount to cause permanent and fatal damage to the kidneys. Wipe up spills and store antifreeze in tightly closed containers. There are no antifreeze products that are truly safe.
