Winterizing_your

Winterizing Your Pet

When the temperature begins to fall, pets will need a little extra care. The Gulf Coast Humane Society offers these tips to keep pets safe and healthy during the cold snap. If the weather becomes too severe, please bring all pets indoors.

Pets are best kept inside

	Bring in pets when the temperature reaches 30 degrees with the wind-chill.
	Dogs and cats can get frost bitten ears, nose and feet if left outside.
	Chemicals used to melt snow on sidewalks can irritate pets' paws.
	Indoor pets get less exercise in the cold months, so feed them less.

If Your Pet Must be Kept Outside

	An outdoor dog needs a dry, elevated house with clean, dry bedding and a flap over the opening to keep drafts out.
	Consider adding a dog door to the garage with a soft cushion in the warmest corner.
	Make sure her water bowl is not frozen. Check periodically throughout the day.
	Give outdoor pets more food. Outdoor dogs and cats need more calories in the winter to produce body heat, so increase the amount fed to these pets.

For Both Indoor and Outdoor Pets

	Petroleum jelly on pets' paws before an outing will protect their paws from deicing materials.
	Wiping pets' paws when they come back in will prevent frostbite from snow and ice between the pads of their feet.
	Keep antifreeze, salt and other household poisons away from pets. Dogs and cats are attracted to the taste of antifreeze, which can be fatal when ingested.
	Try using "pet friendly" antifreeze products and thoroughly cleaning up any spills. Keep the local emergency veterinarian's or family veterinarian's telephone number handy incase of an emergency.
	Make sure a cat hasn't crawled under any car seeking shelter and warmth near the engine. It may get caught in the fan and seriously injured when the engine starts. Open the car hood or slap it noisily before starting the engine on cold days to startle any animal sleeping there.