Winter Tips For Safe Pets
Galesburg, Illinois--Winter will be here soon, and the Prairieland Animal Welfare Center, American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to to Animals (ASPCA), and Iowa-Illinois Safety Council want to remind pet owners of important steps they should take to keep their pets safe and secure this winter.
*Keep cats inside. Outdoor cats can freeze, become lost or stolen, injured, or killed
*During the winter outdoor cats sometimes choose to sleep under the hoods of cars where it is warmer. Check the hood of your car before you start it or bang loudly to give a hiding cat a chance to escape.
*Don't allow your dog off the leash on ice or snow, especially during a storm. Dogs can loose their scent in the snow and can more easily become lost.
*Be sure all pets have an ID tag listing your telephone number or contact information. More pets become lost in the winter than other seasons, so this is especially important.
*If your pet is outside to be walked, wipe off their legs and stomach when they come in out of the sleet, snow, or ice. Salt, anti-freeze, or other chemicals will hurt them if they lick it off of their coat or paws.
*Antifreeze, even in small doses, is a lethal poison for pets. Thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle to help prevent accidental poisoning. Call the ASPCA's Animal Poison Control Center at 1-888-4ANI-HELP of you suspect your animal has ingested antifreeze or another poison.
*Don't leave your pet alone in a car during cold weather. A car will act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold, and the animal could freeze to death.
*If your dog is sensitive to the cold due to age, illness, or breed, take them outdoors only long enough to relieve themselves. Short-haired dog breeds may need a sweater with a high collar to help to protect them from the cold. Look for one that will cover them from the base of the tail to the their belly underneath. While a pet sweater may seem like a luxury, but it may be a necessity to keep your animal warm.
*Young dogs do not tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs and may be difficult to housebreak during the winter.
*If your dog spends a lot of time engaged in outdoor activities, increase their supply of food, particularly protein, to keep their fur thick and healthy.
*Make sure your companion animal has a warm place to sleep and is far away from drafts and off the floor. Consider a dog or cat bed or basket with a warm blanket.
Animals are as susceptible to cold weather as humans are. Keep your animals safe, sound, and healthy by following some of these safety tips!
