Top 5 Winter Safety Tips with Dr. Kate Sapato
Hypothermia & Frostbite: Know the Signs
Hypothermia occurs when your pet's body temperature drops below normal and the body can no longer compensate. Early signs include shivering and lethargy. Small or short haired breeds are more likely to be affected. Late signs include dull mentation, collapse, pale gums and stumbling.
Frostbite occurs when the small blood vessels in the extremities (i.e. ear tips, tails, paws) constrict due to cold temperatures and prolonged constriction results in damage to the tissue. In order to prevent hypothermia and frostbite, long walks during the winter months should be minimized and coats and booties should be utilized during prolonged exposure to the cold.
If you think your dog is too cold, promptly return indoors and consider heating a blanket up in the dryer to wrap around your pup.
Dress the Part
Breeds with thick, dense coats, like Huskies, are well equipped to handle the cold, while thin coated breeds such as French Bulldogs may need a coat or sweater to stay warm on longer walks. Listen to your dog—if you notice shivering or your dog holding a paw up while they’re outside, consider more winter gear.
Booties are a great way to not only keep your dog's feet warm, but prevent dryness or sensitivity caused by salt. Make sure to spend time training your pup to wear booties with lots of treats and a slow introduction.
Consider a reflective accessory for your pet to wear so they are visible in the dark. There are reflective coats and collars, as well as tags and collars that light up to let you and others know where your dog is.
Salt Safety
Salt can be irritating to your pet's feet and potentially dangerous if ingested in large amounts. Many pet-safe salts are on the market, such as Safe Paw and Safe-T-Pet by Morton but there’s no guarantee our neighbors are using pet-safe salts. Avoid highly salted areas on walks or invest in booties for your dog to help minimize exposure. Always be sure to wipe your dog's feet when returning from a walk and keep the hair between their toes short to prevent salt from sticking between the toes. If your dog has longer “feathers” between their toes, professional groomers can trim them for you.
Make Sure Your Pet is Microchipped
In the event that your pet slips away from you, microchipping gives you the best chance of ensuring they return home safe (especially if they slipped out of their collar). Making sure their collar is properly fitted is important as well- it should be snug enough that it can't be pulled over their ears and head, but loose enough to fit two fingers between the collar and their neck.
Indoor Enrichment: Wintertime Fun
Physical exercise is important, but so is mental exercise, especially when the weather limits our ability to get out and play or walk. My favorite way to get my cat moving and exercising her brain is to get her a midday snack in a puzzle toy. It causes her to work for her food and utilize her natural hunting instincts. Puzzle toys can be made from paper towel rolls and other household items, or purchased on Amazon or Chewy. Check out our DIY Enrichment blog for more indoor enrichment ideas!
Having an abundance of toys for your pet to choose from is great, but rotating some in and out every few weeks to months keeps them excited about their "new" toys. It's also important to dedicate time every day for one-on-one play with your pets, as it strengthens your bond and reduces stress for your pet.
We hope you found these tips useful and that they help you keep your pet happy and healthy! If you have any questions, don’t hesitate to ask us. As always, we’re here for you and your pets.