Diva or Daredevil
Winter. For some of us, it’s a dreaded word. Others love the snow and cold, taking delight in all winter’s frosty goodness. Our pets are the same. Some of them can’t get enough playtime in nature’s icebox while others look forlorn and bereft if asked to step outside. Whether your pet is a daredevil in the snow or a winter diva, it’s important to keep them protected from winter hazards.
Common Winter Hazards For Pets
Everything fun has risks it seems. For pets, frigid temperatures and the accompanying landscape changes mean vulnerability to cold, ice, the chemicals needed to make walking safer for humans, and other risks that might not cross your mind. For example, if you’re walking your dog, their nose and the tips of their ears are especially vulnerable to frostbite. While that’s one example of things to be mindful of when caring for your pet this winter, there are others.
Any Given Day
Pets need extra TLC during the coldest days and on average winter days. They are vulnerable to:
- Hypothermia
- Frostbite
- Cracked paw pads
- Poisoning
- Skin irritation
It’s best for them to be inside when at all possible. Although they seem to have protective fur coats, many breeds of dogs and other animals don’t have coats thick enough to withstand winter’s sting. Your pet can be impacted or even injured by wintry weather even when it doesn’t seem that cold.
How To Protect Them
Pets can benefit from outdoor gear as much as people can. A jacket or sweater can help keep your furry bestie’s body warm while boots can protect their paws. Think of it as wearing a winter jacket instead of only a spring jacket (their fur) in winter weather. This kind of protection is especially important for small, short-haired dogs, older dogs, or dogs with medical conditions.
Other ways you can keep your pet safe and healthy during winter weather include:
- If your dog won’t wear boots, cover their paws with petroleum jelly or a balm recommended by your veterinarian
- Dry their feet well when they come in from outside to keep their paw pads from cracking
- Dry your pet’s belly after coming in from the snow, especially if your pet has short legs
- Don’t bathe your pet during really cold weather
- Don’t shave their coat during the winter (cats or dogs)
- Make sure your pet stays well hydrated
- Add a few calories (per your veterinarian’s recommendation) to your pet’s diet because they burn extra calories staying warm
In addition to these recommendations, there are other things to be aware of. Make sure you:
- Clean ice melt off their paws so it doesn’t damage them
- Clean antifreeze spills up completely because antifreeze can be fatal to pets
- Bang (gently of course) on the hood of your car before starting it to dislodge any animal that has taken refuge there
- Don’t let your pet off their leash in a snowstorm
South Hyland Pet Hospital
South Hyland Pet Hospital in Minneapolis, MN wants your pet to stay healthy and well all winter long. We provide a wide range of services to make sure your pet lives their best life. Contact us if we can help you in any way.
Image Credit: Pixabay
