Cold Weather Pet Safety Tips

Salina Health Department

Cold tolerance varies from pet to pet. Very young, old, shorthaired pets and all cats should be kept inside. Pets with short legs, arthritis, and medical issues may be more susceptible to the cold. Never leave a pet outside in cold weather without supervision. Do not leave your pet unattended in a vehicle. No matter what the temperature, wind chill can threaten a pet’s life.

If your pet is whining, shivering, seems weak, anxious, sluggish or stops moving get them back inside quickly. Hypothermia & frostbite in pets may be hard to recognize until the damage is done.

You will probably need to shorten your outdoor exercise time. Protect their paws from salt, antifreeze, and other chemicals. Wipe your pet’s feet, legs, and belly to remove these chemicals when you get home, before your pet licks them off his feet or fur. Look for ice accumulation between the toes.

Pets who spend a lot of time outdoors should have access to plenty of fresh, clean water (not frozen). Pets need extra food during cold weather. Use plastic food & water bowls rather than metal, to prevent your pet’s tongue from freezing to the bowl.

If for some reason, your dog must be outside, provide warm, solid shelter against the wind and snow. The floor of the shelter should be off the ground to minimize heat loss, and covered with cedar shavings or straw. Bedding should be changed regularly. The shelter should be large enough to allow the dog to sit and lie down comfortably, but small enough to hold in its body heat. The doorway should be faced away from the wind, and covered with waterproof burlap or heavy plastic.

Clean up antifreeze spills immediately, as even small amounts of antifreeze can be deadly. Be sure that your house is pet-proofed, and  be sure that your pets don’t have access to household chemicals, medications, potentially toxic foods (such as onions or chocolate). Protect pets from burns from space heaters, floor heaters, and electric blankets.

Warm engines attract cats & small wildlife, who may crawl up under the hood. To avoid injuring any hidden animals, bang on your car’s hood or honk your horn to scare them away before starting the engine!