Cold Weather Tips for Pets

Cold Weather Tips for Pets

               We’ve had some ups and downs in our temperatures so far, but we are officially a few weeks into winter and it’s time to remind everyone how to keep pets safe and healthy during cold weather.

               How long should pets be allowed to play outdoors?  This depends on a lot of factors including age, coat, breed, and medical conditions.  A young healthy dog or cat can probably stay outside for about thirty minutes if the weather is at or above freezing.  The colder it is, the less time they should spend outside.  Limit time outdoors if your dog has a thin coat, is elderly, or has a medical condition.  Some dogs enjoy the cold and snow more than others. A Husky or Bernese Mountain dog is more likely to want stay outdoors in the winter than a Greyhound or Boston Terrier, but even dogs who love the cold should spend limited time outdoors if temperatures dip below freezing. 

Did you know, dogs and cats can develop hypothermia and frostbite?  With hypothermia, watch for shivering, pale gums, stumbling, lethargy or collapse. Bring pets indoors and gradually warm them with blankets.  Don’t use heating pads as pets could suffer burns or overheat.  Frostbite can occur on areas like tails, ears and toes with prolonged exposure to extreme cold.  Affected skin may look bluish grey or pale, feel cold, and may be painful. The skin becomes red, swollen and may peel and become more painful as it warms. If you think your pet has frostbite, apply a warm towel or tepid water to the area but don’t rub or use hot water as this can cause more damage. If the skin starts to look black or feels hard, your pet needs immediate veterinary attention. 

               Check pets’ paws—ice can stick to fur between toes and cause discomfort.  Pads can be cut by ice or irritated by ice melt and road salt.  Wipe paws after your pet has been out for a walk, or consider boots or a paw protecting wax or salve such as those used on sled dogs--or even petroleum jelly--to protect the pads. Also, make sure pets can’t lick or eat the salt used to melt ice--ingestion of large amounts of road salt can cause mouth irritation and upset stomach. 

Many antifreeze and de-icing windshield products contain a toxic chemical called ethylene glycol. This compound is sweet making it attractive to animals, but it is deadly if ingested as it causes kidney failure.  Make sure pets do not have access to antifreeze, clean up any spills immediately, and store products where pets cannot access them.  Consider using pet safe versions of anti-freeze, window deicers and ice melt products that contain non-toxic propylene glycol or other safer compounds instead of ethylene glycol.

Older pets with arthritis may struggle in the cold.  Even with arthritis supplements and drugs, joints can become stiff and painful when outside temperatures drop. Supervise senior pets outdoors and ensure they can’t slip and fall on icy walks, decks, or stairs.  Consider shoveling a path even in the grass if snow is deep and don’t leave older or frail pets outdoors for more than a few minutes.

               One final reminder—Bang on your car hood before starting the car.  Cats and wildlife sometimes seek refuge under the hood of a car in cold weather and can be burned or cut with a fan belt if the car is started while the animal is on the engine block.

We hope these tips help keep your pets warm and safe this winter!

               This blog brought to you by the Patton Veterinary Hospital serving Red Lion, York and the surrounding communities.

https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/cold-weather-animal-safety

https://www.southernliving.com/culture/pets/why-do-dogs-love-snow https://www.petmd.com/dog/emergency/common-emergencies/e_dg_frostbitehttps://www.americanhumane.org/fact-sheet/cold-weather-pet-tips/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI-YLz0diT4AIVRT0MCh3wMAeIEAAYASAAEgKr9fD_BwE

https://trupanion.com/pet-care/pet-safety/winter-tips

https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/cold-weather-safety-tips