If you are cold then your pets are cold. It is as simple as that! And, while we hear a lot about the dangers of heat exhaustion in the summer, winter can be just as dangerous for our pets. So, today, we wanted to talk to you about the dangers of cold weather and tell you some winter pet care tips for getting your pet thru the winter with all their toes!
Age matters
Just like with people, the old and young have trouble regulating body temperature.
It's important they don't stay outside too long and that you keep an eye on them while they are.
Let It GROW!
Skip the trip to the groomer and let your pets' fur grow out longer.
The extra length will help keep them warm.
Never shave your pet and save the haircuts for the summer.
No Free Range Dogs
Every year dogs get away from their owners, wander onto thin ice and fall through.
The cold weather also masks smells, making it more likely for them to get lost according to the APSCA.
Buy A Coat
Just as you wear layers, consider sweaters and coats for short-haired pets also.
Also, the pads on a dog's feet can be vulnerable to the cold, so consider booties if your dog will have to be outside for a long time.
In areas where deicing salts have been used, make sure you wipe your dog's paws before coming in to avoid irritation and them licking it off.
Clean Up After Yourself
Household chemicals can kill animals quickly, even in small amounts.
Anti-freeze has a sweet smell and taste that attracts pets if you spill while topping off your vehicle, be sure to wipe it up thoroughly.
Protein Power
Protein can help improve your pet's coat and boost their metabolism, which will help keep them more active during the cold months. In turn, this will help keep them warmer.
Consider adding an additional protein source to their food.
Keep Them Inside
You live in a house for a reason.
On days that are extremely cold, bring your pets inside, even if it's just into the garage, which will still be much warmer than outside.
If you do though, be careful because cats love to climb up into warm spots like wheel wells and inside the engine.
If you do let them inside the garage, be sure to make sure they aren't somewhere they can be hurt or killed when you start the car.
Pets are a year-round commitment, with different things to be aware of each season.
During the winter, we need to be aware of the cold, snow, and ice and make sure our pets are around for all the seasons to come - without freezing their toes off! 🙂
We hope these winter pet care tips have helped. And, here are a few more Cold Weather Safety Tips for Pets you might like to read!
Calvin says
Winter is coming.. so better refresh on these tips
Calvin says
Extremely important to refresh these tips, as winter iS COMING
Laurie Nykaza says
Good info winter will be here before we know it . I bought my friend booties shoes for his dog he lives where its very cold and snows too.
Jasmine P says
Thanks for sharing this! Important info!
Sue Hull says
These are some awesome tips! My daughter has 3 dogs and they're all inside dogs so I always tell her buy coats for her 2 chihuahua when she takes them out.Thanks for sharing 🙂
Michele Ash says
Thanks for the Wonderful Review on Winter Pet Care Tips: Getting Your Pet thru Winter with all their Toes! My 2 babies are always inside dogs! They love to go outside, however, in the winter when it's freezing cold and/or snow or ice on the ground, they go out and do their business and they are back inside again! When we get a "big" snow, we always snow blow the yard so that the girl's have less snow to trudge through! We also do the neighbor's yard for her 3 as well! We are very aware in our household of the difference in temperatures and our babies. They have sweaters (which they don't want to sit still to put on half the time!) I don't have any booties or anything quite yet, however, I have been thinking about it! We love our babies like family and they are treated like family! They sleep with us and everything! Thanks so much for sharing these tips with all of us! I know that there may be some people who just do not think of things like this. We are very conscious here to make sure we know where are babies are at all times! Thanks again, I honestly do appreciate the information and tips! Good job Miss Molly! Thanks again, Michele 🙂 PS. I'd post a picture of them in last years snow, but there is no where to post a picture. Sorry.
Sandy Vanbuskirk says
yes so important to keep our pets warm my girls and litter trained so they stay inside when it is cold
vickie couturier says
some really good tips,,we moved from TN to VT and my little dog was shell shocked,,so we had to get him lots of sweaters and coats,,he is very short haired and only weisght 5 lbs so he gets cold fast