Winter Pet Care

Cats and Kittens. The Anti-Cruelty Society strongly suggests that cats be kept inside at all times, year-round. Safe inside, your cat will be protected from the many life-threatening dangers always present outside the home. Inside cats get enough exercise and live a longer and healthier life. Remember that a kitten is more vulnerable than an adult cat and requires more supervision.

Dogs and Puppies. The Anti-Cruelty Society strongly suggests that dogs live inside the home, year-round, as a member of the family. The exception would be while on walks for elimination and exercise, at which times the dog should be leashed or contained within a fenced, supervised yard. Remember that a puppy is more vulnerable than an adult dog and requires constant supervision.

• Shelter. Your pet should be part of the family and live inside the home. However, if your dog spends a lot of time outside or must live outdoors, you are required, by law, to provide them with proper shelter. Without shelter from the cold, an animal can freeze and die. A proper doghouse must be windproof and watertight, with a floor raised off the ground. It should be large enough so that the dog is completely comfortable in any position but not too much larger than the dog. In the proper sized doghouse, the animal's own body heat will help keep the house warm. Garages are not proper shelter. Clean bedding of straw, not cloth blankets which hold water and can freeze, make a dog house more comfortable and warm.
• Water. Make sure your companion animals have plenty of fresh, clean water in a secure, non-tip dish at all times. Check the water bowl frequently to make sure that it hasn't frozen.
• Food. Regardless of whether your pet lives indoors or out, always check with your veterinarian about the best kind of diet for your companion animal(s). Outdoor dogs also need additional fat in their diets during the winter to help build up natural insulation.
• Becoming Lost or Injured. Snow and ice increase your companion animal's chances of becoming disoriented and subsequently lost if they are roaming the streets. Bad weather conditions make it extra difficult for cars to stop, increasing your animal's chance of getting hit. Keeping your companion animals indoors and walking your dog on a leash will prevent such tragedies.
• Frostbite. Even though companion animals have a fur coat, most dogs and cats cannot endure the cold of winter for more than ten to fifteen 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, and has decreased sensation in the affected area. If you suspect frostbite, gently thaw the area with warm water and then take the animal to the vet. After thawing, there may be pain or redness on the frostbitten area. Remember that 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 your dog's foot pads. After you return home from a walk, check his or her 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 companion animal's reach. Also be sure to clean up any spills in your garage or driveway immediately. If your dog or cat 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 car engines are started. To prevent such an occurrence, keep your cat inside. To protect stray cats, knock on your car's hood or sound your horn before starting your car in cold weather.
• Grooming. Animals tend to shed hair less during the cold months, but still require regular brushing. Cats generally do not need a bath--they clean themselves by licking. Dogs should be bathed no more than once a month. When bathing any animal, cat or dog, be sure to only use a shampoo that is specifically safe for a dog or a cat and follow label directions completely.