Pets & Vets – Winter Pet Safety

It seems that old man winter is here again and with him, some things we need to remember to keep our pets safe while he hangs around. Over winter, many pets die because of the cold or things related to winter.Here are some tips to keep your pet’s safe until the groundhog says spring is here again.
Outdoor shelter: Many pets freeze to death because they don’t have proper shelter or they get left outside for longer than expected. Regardless of whether your pet only goes out to use the bathroom, they should have some shelter – you never know if you will have something come up and your pet is outside longer than they should be. Proper shelter for winter is insulated and the opening is protected to stop wind.
Most designers focus on insulation and aesthetics and forget about the most important part of a pet’s shelter – the roof. If the roof is too high for our pets, their body heat rises too high to keep them warm. The ceiling of the shelter should be only a few inches above their head standing up.
Reflective collars or coats: Slippery roads are a part of winter. Unfortunately, our pets don’t realise that vehicles can’t stop as fast on ice as they can. Reflective leashes or coats when our pets are outside help warn drivers that they should slow down, before the pet darts out in front of them.
Heated Water Dishes: If your dog is outside in the winter for long periods, it is as important that they stay hydrated as it is in the summer. To ensure they do, and that the water doesn’t give them hypothermia, water dishes outside should be heated.
Road Salt: When our pets come in from outside in the winter, they often have road salt and ice stuck to their feet. They then proceed to lick their feet clean which can lead to salt toxicity, not to mention what other poisons were in the road salt and ice. The simplest way to prevent this is by purchasing a set of boots for your pets to wear outside. The cheapest way is to wash their feet with warm cloths to melt the ice for them.
Vehicle Safety: Just like in the summer, leaving pets in a vehicle during winter is dangerous. If the vehicle is left off, they run the risk of freezing. Turning on the vehicle with the windows up to keep them warm, and your pet could die from carbon monoxide poisoning.
While driving, pets should be kennelled or seat-belted. Slippery roads makes a pet distracting or bumping you much more serious than summer.
Walking your dogs: Emergency rooms across Canada deal with broken hips, wrists and concussions every winter from people slipping when walking their dog. On icy sidewalks, even a chihuahua can pull you off your feet. Many stores sell slip on cleats for traction on ice to prevent such accidents.
As winter settles in, keep your pets and yourself safe so you can enjoy cuddling with them and a cup of hot chocolate.
Dr. Ryan Ridgway
Southwest Mobile Pet Care

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