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Keep Pets Safe In Winter
Just as you prepare yourself for winter by getting coats, gloves and turning up the heat, it is important to prepare your pets as well.
Outside
Outdoor activities
Your pet may have fur, but that is not always enough to keep them warm in the winter. Just as you may still be cold with a coat on, they can still be cold with their fur coats. For short-haired dogs or small breeds, consider a dog sweater when you take them outside to keep the chill out. Limit time outside, especially when the temperature drops into the single digits — pets can get frostbite and hypothermia too.
Try not to limit your pet's play just because the weather is bad. Find other methods of keeping your pet entertained and exercised: consider changing toys and playing with your dog or cat to beat the winter blues.
Shelter
Give them shelter
Dogs
If your dog must stay outside for longer periods, be sure to provide them with a warm place to sleep. A cozy doghouse with bedding or straw can help insulate and keep them warm. Consider a heating pad made for doghouses. A doghouse should be large enough for your dog to stand up and turn around, but not larger, or it will lose heat too quickly.
Cats
Providing a shelter for your cat, or feral cats in your neighborhood, can help them keep warm in the bitter cold. You can build a simple cat shelter using wood, or even a large storage bin with a small door cut into it. Line the bin with styrofoam and fill with hay or shredded newspaper so they can burrow — an easy homemade shelter for an outdoor cat.
Nutrition
Food and water
Pets who spend more time outside need more food to build energy. Be sure they have food at all times and that their water dish is full and not frozen. Consider a heated water dish to keep water available at all times.
Safety
Winter chemicals
Frozen sidewalks and driveways are not just dangerous to you — they can be for your pet as well. Not only do they have a chance to slip, but many ice melts and salts can irritate your pet's paws or be dangerous if they lick their paws afterward. Consider a pet-safe ice and snow remover to protect your pet.
Antifreeze is another danger to your pet. It may taste sweet but is deadly. Be sure to wipe up any spills and don't leave an open container of antifreeze out.
Livestock
Horse owners
Horses can be affected by the wind and cold too. Be sure they have access to a barn or three-sided shed to escape the cold and wind. Blankets can also help keep them warm and dry if there is rain or snow. Be sure they have food and water at all times and that water remains unfrozen.
Small pets
While small pets might not feel the extreme cold since they are indoors, temperature fluctuations can still affect them. Many rooms that stay a decent temperature in the summer can be much colder in the winter. Even a small temperature drop can affect small animals such as hamsters, gerbils, hedgehogs, reptiles and birds. Find out the ideal temperature for your pet and consider a heater with temperature control in their room. If your pet's cage is already heated, check the temperature to make sure it hasn't dropped.