Find lots more information on keeping your pets safe in cold weather here.
Winter weather can be rough on our furry friends. Follow these steps from the American Red Cross to help ensure your pet’s safety when chilly weather hits their area.
1. Bring your pets inside during cold weather.
Keep your animals inside. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA®) reports pets left outdoors can freeze, become disoriented, lost, stolen, injured or killed. In addition, don’t leave pets alone in a car during cold weather ─ cars can act as refrigerators and cause animals to freeze to death.
The Humane Society of the United States adds that if pets can’t come indoors, you should make sure they are protected by a dry, draft-free enclosure large enough to allow them to sit and lie down, but small enough to hold in the pet’s body heat. Raise the floor a few inches off the ground and cover it with cedar shavings or straw. Turn the enclosure away from the wind and cover the doorway with waterproof burlap or heavy plastic.
Move other animals or livestock to sheltered areas and make sure they have access to non-frozen drinking water. If the animals are outside, make sure their access to food and water is not blocked by snow drifts, ice or other obstacles.
2. Protect their paws.
Use pet-friendly ice melt products. Salt and other chemicals used to melt snow and ice can irritate a pet’s paws. Wipe their paws with a damp towel before your pet licks them and irritates their mouth.
3. Take care of their coat and skin.
Towel dry your pet as soon as he or she comes inside. Pay special attention to paws and in between the toes. Remove any snow from between foot pads. If possible, keep your dog’s coat longer in winter for warmth. If your dog is short-haired, consider getting a coat or sweater for your pet. Keep pet bathing to a minimum when it’s cold to avoid dry skin. If your pet needs a bath, use a moisturizing shampoo.
4. Antifreeze is a deadly poison.
Wipe up spills and store antifreeze out of reach.
5. Know your pet’s limits outdoors.
Be aware of how your pet tolerates cold weather and adjust as needed.
6. Check your engine.
Sometimes cats use an engine to keep warm. Check underneath your car, bang on the hood, and honk the horn before starting the engine to make sure a cat hasn’t taken refuge on your engine.
7. Use space heaters with caution.
The heater can burn your pet or be knocked over, possibly starting a home fire.
8. Watch for hypothermia.
If your pet is whining, shivering, anxious, slower than usual or stops moving, seems weak or starts looking for warm places to burrow, get them back inside quickly because they are showing signs of hypothermia. Frostbite is harder to detect and may not be fully recognized until a few days after the damage is done. If you suspect your pet has hypothermia or frostbite, consult your veterinarian immediately.
9. Avoid walking on frozen water.
Stay away from frozen ponds, lakes and other water. You don't know if the ice will support your pet's weight and falling through the ice could be deadly.
10. Download the Red Cross Pet First Aid app.
Put veterinary advice for everyday pet emergencies in the palm of your hand. With videos, interactive quizzes and simple step-by-step advice it’s never been easier to know Pet First Aid.
About the American Red Cross:
The American Red Cross shelters, feeds and provides comfort to victims of disasters; supplies about 40% of the nation’s blood; teaches skills that save lives; distributes international humanitarian aid; and supports veterans, military members and their families. The Red Cross is a nonprofit organization that depends on volunteers and the generosity of the American public to deliver its mission. For more information, please visit redcross.org or CruzRojaAmericana.org, or follow us on social media.
Support all the urgent humanitarian needs of the American Red Cross.
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