COLD WEATHER SAFETY TIPS FOR PETS
Protecting Your Dog during the Cold Weather Months
Reprinted from Pet Tips Series

As the winter months approach, you need to take time to ensure that your pets enjoy a happy, healthy winter season.

Housing: It is best to keep pets indoors during the winter months, but if this is not possible, outdoor pets must be provided with shelter. Their home should be elevated off the ground to prevent moisture accumulation and have a door of some kind to keep out winter winds, sleet, and snow. Shelters should be insulated or heated. Outdoor pets require extra calories to keep warm. Feed your pet according to its needs when the temperature drops. In severely cold or inclement weather, no pet should be kept outside. Indoor pets should have sleeping quarters in a draft-free, warm area with their bed or mattress elevated slightly off the floor.

Frostbite and snow / salt removal: Snow and salt should be removed from your pets paws immediately. Frostbitten skin is red or gray and may slough. Apply warm, moist towels to thaw out frostbitten areas slowly until the skin appears flushed. Contact your vet as soon as possible for further care. Snow removal products should be stored out of the reach of pets and small children as their toxicity varies considerably.

Toxic plants: Plants and other items associated with the winter can be toxic to your pets. What follows is a general guide. Please consult your vet and the manufacturer for specifics. Remember, the earlier you seek treatment, the better for your pet!:

• Low toxicity -- poinsettia leaves/stems; balsam/pine/cedar/fir; super glue; styrofoam; and crayons/paints.

• Moderate toxicity -- Plastic model cement, holly berries and leaves; ; aftershaves/perfumes/alcoholic beverages; and chocolate (dark is more toxic than milk).

• Highly toxic -- epoxy adhesives; and antifreeze; styrofoam, small parts from toys, can cause mechanical obstructions in the gastrointestinal tract.

• Antifreeze and windshield washer fluid deserve special mention because even a very small amount can be rapidly fatal to pets. Please keep them in a safe place away from your pets.

Do not allow pets to play with ribbons, yarn, or six-pack can holders and don't put ribbons or yarn around your pet's neck. Cover or tack down electrical cords.

General Tips: Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter. Leave the coat in a longer style, which provides more warmth. Remember that such a style will require more frequent brushing due to dry winter air and static electricity. When you bathe your dog, make sure she is completely dry before you take her out for a walk.

Make sure your companion animal has a warm place to sleep far away from all drafts and off the floor, such as in a dog or cat bed or basket with a warm blanket or pillow in it.

If your dog spends a lot of time engaged in outdoor activities, increase his supply of food, particularly protein, to keep his fur thick and healthy.

Puppies do not tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs and may be difficult to housebreak during the winter. If necessary, paper train your puppy inside if he appears to be sensitive to the weather.

If your dog is sensitive to the cold due to age, illness or breed type, take him outdoors only long enough to relieve himself.

Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather. A car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold. Your companion animal could freeze to death.

If you own a short-haired breed, consider getting a warm coat or sweater for your dog. Look for one with a high collar or turtleneck that covers your dog from the base of her tail on top and to the belly underneath. While this may seem like a luxury, it is a necessity for many dogs.

Never let your dog off the leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm. Dogs frequently lose their scent in snow and ice and easily become lost. They may panic in a snowstorm and run away. More dogs are lost during the winter than during any other season.