Cold Weather Tips
Bring All Pets Indoors: The Anti-Cruelty Society recommends that all of your pets live indoors with you. If you do have a pet that spends most of his/her time outdoors, bring them indoors for the next few days during these sub-zero temperatures. Frostbite can set in very rapidly and may lead to death.
Most dogs need to go outdoors to eliminate. Make their time outdoors as brief as possible, allowing him/her to eliminate and go back indoors.
Frostbite: Even though companion animals have a fur coat, most cats and dogs cannot endure the cold of winter for more than 10 to 15 minutes. A companion animal left outdoors can get frostbite and even freeze to death. Signs of frostbite include skin that is pale and cool to the touch, with decreased sensation in the affected area. If you suspect frostbite, gently warm the area with warm, not hot, water and then take the animal to your veterinarian. Once an area has been frozen it can become cold and frostbitten again more easily.
Ice, Salt, and Snow: Jagged ice and sidewalk salt can injure or irritate your dog's foot pads. After you return home from a walk, check the foot pads and wipe off any salt or ice with a damp towel. Also dry your dog thoroughly whenever he or she comes in from the snow.
Anti-Freeze: Animals are attracted to this substance by its sweet taste. It can be fatal if ingested, so keep all anti-freeze bottles out of your pet's reach. Also be sure to clean up any spills in your garage or driveway immediately. If your cat or dog should swallow anti-freeze-or any poison-contact your veterinarian immediately.
Car Engines: In cold weather, cats allowed outdoors crawl beneath cars and climb up inside the engines seeking warmth and shelter. This can lead to injuries or death when the engines are started. To prevent such an occurrence, keep your cat indoors at all times. To protect stray cats, knock on your car's hood or sound your horn before starting the car in cold weather.
