Tips for Keeping Your Dogs and Cats Warm and Safe During Cold Weather:
- Do not shave long haired dogs in the winter. For shorter haired breeds, have a jacket ready for the cold weather.
- Have a warm place for your pets to sleep away from drafts. A bed or a blanket are useful to keep pets warm in the cold weather.
- Thoroughly wipe off your dog’s legs and stomach when he comes in out of the sleet, snow or ice. He can ingest salt, antifreeze or other potentially dangerous chemicals while licking his paws, and his paw pads may also bleed from snow or encrusted ice.
- In cold weather cats often hide under the hoods of cars. If you have stray cats in your area, knock on the hood of the car before starting it.
- Never let your dog off the leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm, dogs can lose their scent and easily become lost. More dogs are lost during the winter than during any other season, so make sure yours always wears ID tags.
For more tips, visit the websites of American Red Cross or the ASPCA.
