Cold Weather Tips

Keep your cat inside.  Cats that are allowed to stray in the winter cold can freeze, become lost or stolen, injured or killed.  Outdoors, cats can be exposed to fatal communicable diseases, and risk being exposed to rabies.

Outdoor cats sometimes sleep in the warmth of car engines.  During the winter, outdoor cats sometimes find heat under the hood of cars.  When the car is started a cat can be injured or killed by the fan belt. Always bang loudly on the hood of the car giving any cat the chance to escape.  

Never let your dog run free on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm.  The winter season has claimed more lost dogs than any other season.  Many dogs can easily lose their sent and become lost.  Always make sure your dog has a collar with ID on.  

Dry your dogs legs and stomach when coming in from sleet, snow, or ice.  Ingesting salt, antifreeze or other chemicals while licking off their paws can be very harmful, if not deadly.  Paw pads may also bleed from the encrusted ice.  Also be cautious of Frostbite.  Frostbitten skin may turn reddish, white or gray, and it may be scaly or sloughing.  If you suspect frostbitten areas slowly by applying warm, moist towels that are changed frequently.  Continue until the affected areas become flushed.  Contact your Vet as soon as possible; he/she will probably want to evaluate the seriousness of the condition.

Sweaters are for more than looks.  Short-haired breeds can not bare the cold as other breeds can.  Getting a coat or sweater with a high collar covers the dog from head to tail.

Never leave your dog or cat unattended in a car during cold weather.  A car can keep in the winter cold, creating a greater risk of the animal freezing to death.  Those who are sensitive to the cold because of age, illness, or breed should only be taken out to relieve themselves.

Puppies do not tolerate the cold as well as adults do.  This may make it more difficult to potty train in the winter months.  Puppies that are too sensitive to the cold should be paper trained inside.

Dogs that love to spend their time outside no matter what the weather, should be feed an increased amount of food in the winter months.  Feeding foods with extra protein will help keep a thick and healthy fur.

Antifreeze is good for your car in the winter, but not for our furry friends.  Antifreeze is a lethal poison, be sure to clean up any spills from your vehicle.

When having your dog groomed in the winter, don't shave the hair completely to the skin.  Leaving the coat longer in the winter will help keep them warm.