Winter Pet Care Tips

With temperatures dipping into the single digits, we need to take steps to ensure our pets’ well-being. The following tips are offered by The Anti-Cruelty Society, Chicago’s oldest and largest full-service humane society and low-cost spay/neuter clinic.

Becoming Lost or Injured…Snow and ice increase your companion animal’s chances of becoming disoriented and lost if roaming the streets. Bad weather conditions make it extra difficult for cars to stop, increasing your animal’s chance of getting hit. Keeping your pets 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 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 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. Once an area has been frozen it can become cold and frostbitten again more easily.

Shelter, Food, and Water… The Anti-Cruelty Society strongly suggests that cats be kept inside at all times year-round, protected from the many life-threatening dangers always present outside. Also, dogs should live inside as a member of the family.

However, if your dog spends a lot of time outside, you are required by law to provide 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, and just large enough so that the dog is completely comfortable in any position.

Outdoor dogs also need additional fat in their diets during the winter to help build up natural insulation. Make sure your pet has 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.

Ice, Salt, and Snow…Jagged ice and sidewalk salt can injure 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 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 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.

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. Dogs should be bathed no more than once a month. When bathing any animal, be sure to only use a shampoo that is specifically safe for a dog or cat and follow label directions completely.