Winter Safety Tips

Winter is here and we are thinking of family gatherings, holiday parties, and perhaps even snow and ice.  Wintertime can be beautiful, festive and a great time for winter sports, but keeping our pets safe could involve a little homework and preparation.

With the onset of cooler weather, people are getting their cars ready for winter by using anti-freeze, which is highly toxic.  The reason this green-colored liquid poses such a danger to pets is because of its sweet taste. Did you know that according to statistics, just five teaspoons of anti-freeze can kill a 10 pound dog?  The toxicity of anti-freeze is so potent that kidney failure and death can occur in a few hours.  Therefore, you’ll want to make sure that any anti-freeze is stored well out of the reach of your pet.

Another consideration includes pesticides, which can cause sever bleeding, kidney failure, and death once ingested by pets.  Whether these are used outside or in the home, pesticides are a real danger to the safety of your pests.  If they are used indoors, please put them in places where pets cannot reach; otherwise, do not use them at all.  Mousetraps, while seemingly innocent enough, can also pose a threat to pets, especially small ones, causing injury to their paws, face, or even tails if stumbled upon.

Be sure that candles are kept out of the path of a waggly tail or curious paw.

If you have a fire in the fireplace, don’t let pets get too close in case burning embers fly.

Pets can suffer the effects of frostbite and hypothermia just as easily as their owners.  Household pets should stay indoors in very cold temperatures.  But if your pet must stay outdoors, be sure to provide them shelter from wind and moisture.  In this case, bigger is not better!  Smaller homes will help to trap body heat more efficiently. Use heated water bowls and replenish everyday.

Knowing your pet’s limitations will be very important during these months.  An older dog may not be as sure-footed on the ice and young puppies may not have enough body fat to keep them warm for extended periods in the snow.  Monitor your pets when they go out for exercise or for their bathroom breaks to insure that they are able to make it back on their own.