Winter is officially right around the corner! With it comes colder temperatures, shorter days, the holidays, school cancellations, and new dangers to your beloved pets. After all, the winter season is a busy time of year, so it’s even more important to pay close attention to your furry friends. Keep reading to learn more about serious threats to your pet this winter and how to best protect against them.
Cold Weather:
The first danger that you need to be aware of is cold weather. If you live in a location that has warmer weather all year long, then this may not be a concern. However, if where you reside has cold winters, then this is something you need to take into consideration. Cold weather is a danger to your furry friend because if your dog or cat is outside for too long, they can develop frostbite and hypothermia. These conditions are dangerous because if left untreated, they can cause cardiac failure, respiratory failure, brain damage, coma, and death.
So how cold is too cold for your pet? If you have a cat, then they are fine staying indoors on colder days, as they are likely to be litter box trained. However, dogs need to go outside to go to the bathroom, because they need more exercise. There are many factors in the winter that determine how long dogs can stay outdoors. According to the Outward Hound, it depends on the size, weight, and age of your dog. In general, smaller and older dogs should be outside for only short periods of time when the temperature is below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. When the temperature is below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, dogs should only be allowed outside to go to the bathroom.
Antifreeze:
Believe it or not, antifreeze is a major danger to pets every winter! In fact, a recent antifreeze poisoning estimate claims that 90,000 pets a year are poisoned by antifreeze. This is because antifreeze is 95% ethylene glycol, which is an extremely toxic substance. Make sure you keep antifreeze and other hazardous products out of the reach of pets. Ideally, they should be kept in high locations with the cap always left on tightly. If your cat or dog does get into antifreeze or any other dangerous products, you should bring them to the vet ASAP.
Be prepared ahead of time for accidents this winter by getting pet insurance. Pet insurance is a great tool to have, especially if you worry that you are unable to afford vet care because of their high medical costs. Pet insurance will allow your furry friend to get the medical care they need if they suddenly get sick or injured. At the same time, it will allow you greater financial stability.
Snow Salt:
It wouldn’t be winter in the Northeast without the occasional snowfall. Hence, snow salt is also a health hazard to pets (mainly dogs). Unlike how we wear boots, our four-legged friends usually don’t. However, salt can slip and break into your dog’s paw pads as they walk on salted sidewalks and streets. As a result, their paw pads can become irritated, cracked, and can bleed.
A great way to prevent this is to get your pup its own pair of dog booties. These are great because they can protect their paws from sharp pieces of snow salt, while at the same time keeping their paws nice and warm. Lastly, never let your pet eat snow salt, as the salt could be treated with ice melt. This is very poisonous for pets.
Inadequate Exercise:
It’s cold outside and the sun sets much earlier in the evening now. These conditions make it hard for your pet to get the proper exercise they need outdoors. This is concerning because a lack of adequate exercise can cause your pet to have physical and mental health problems. For example, your four-legged friend can become overweight and depressed if they stay at home sleeping all day. It can even cause them to display aggression towards you and others.
Make sure your pet gets plenty of exercises this winter by taking them on long walks when it’s warmer outside and less snowy. Similarly, there are many many different ways to ways to keep your pet active indoors. You could participate in an intense game of tug of war or chase your pet around your home. If your pet likes to play fetch outdoors, then try playing it indoors. For dogs that love walking, you could get them an indoor treadmill. As for cats, scratching posts are a great way to keep them active and entertained all day long.
Holiday Festivities:
Most people think of the holidays when they think of winter, and any responsible pet owner should know that the holiday season can be dangerous to their furry friend. Holiday lights are at the top of the hazards list, as they can give electric shocks to any creature that chews through the electrical cord. This can even cause death!
Likewise, cats and dogs (especially kittens and puppies) love getting into presents and decorations that look attractive. Presents wrapped in ribbon are certainly choking hazards, while breakable decorations can cut and injure your pet.
Lastly, holiday gatherings can turn into unfortunate events. Some pets don’t like strangers entering the house and can get anxious or aggressive. If this sounds like your pet, then create a safe space for them in a different room for the duration of the gathering. Of course, make sure guests don’t feed your pet either, as they could accidentally give them food that could be poisonous or harmful.
Winter can feel like the busiest season of the year, especially with the holidays. There is always so much to do and not enough time to do it. Make sure you don’t lose sight of your pet’s health during this time. Following the tips above will help keep your pet safe, healthy, and away from the vet all winter long.
This article was created in collaboration with Benjamin S.