Cold Weather Safety Tips
Exposure to winter’s dry, cold
air and chilly rain, sleet and snow can cause chapped paws and itchy, flaking
skin, but these aren’t the only discomforts pets can suffer. Winter walks can
become downright dangerous if chemicals from ice-melting agents are licked off
of bare paws. To help prevent cold weather dangers from affecting your pet’s
health, please heed the following advice from our experts:
- Repeatedly coming out of the
cold into the dry heat of your home can cause itchy, flaking skin. Keep your
home humidified and towel dry your pet as soon as he comes inside, paying
special attention to his feet and in-between the toes. Remove any snow balls
from between his foot pads
- Never shave your dog down to
the skin in winter, as a longer coat will provide more warmth. If your dog is
long-haired, simply trim him to minimize the clinging ice balls, salt crystals
and de-icing chemicals that can dry his skin, and don’t neglect the hair
between his toes. If your dog is short-haired, consider getting him a coat or
sweater with a high collar or turtleneck with coverage from the base of the
tail to the belly. For many dogs, this is regulation winter wear
- Bring a towel on long walks to
clean off stinging, irritated paws. After each walk, wash and dry your pet’s
feet and stomach to remove ice, salt and chemicals—and check for cracks in paw
pads or redness between the toes
- Bathe your pets as little as
possible during cold spells. Washing too often can remove essential oils and
increase the chance of developing dry, flaky skin. If your pooch must be
bathed, ask your vet to recommend a moisturizing shampoo and/or rinse.
- Massaging petroleum jelly or
other paw protectants into paw pads before going outside can help protect from
salt and chemical agents. Booties provide even more coverage and can also
prevent sand and salt from getting lodged between bare toes and causing
irritation. Use pet-friendly ice melts whenever possible
- Like coolant, antifreeze is a
lethal poison for dogs and cats. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from
your vehicle, and consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather
than ethylene glycol.
- Pets burn extra energy by
trying to stay warm in wintertime. Feeding your pet a little bit more during
the cold weather months can provide much-needed calories, and making sure she
has plenty of water to drink will help keep her well-hydrated and her skin less
dry.
- Make sure your companion animal
has a warm place to sleep, off the floor and away from all drafts. A cozy dog
or cat bed with a warm blanket or pillow is perfect.
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