Keep your pet safe in the winter

  • Outdoor pet shelters
    • Even northern breed dogs require an insulated shelter during the colder months as a means to get out of and off of the snow and ice
    • Insulated dog houses provide better protection from extreme elements vs a plastic one
    • Heating pads can be used underneath the shelter
    • Heat lamps can be used inside the shelter
    • A good dog house will have some sort of a door to protect from the wind and snow getting in
    • Always use straw for bedding inside the house; do not use blankets as they can become frozen when wet and form an ice cube for the dog to sit on
    • Use a heated water dish with a coil around the cord, especially for dogs that chew, to prevent electrocution
  • Minimize the time that your pet is outside during extreme cold
  • Do not leave your pet in a vehicle as it can act like a freezer and become colder inside the vehicle than outside
  • Put boots on your dog when you are walking them outside so that the salt and other de-icers do not both your pets feet; if your pet will not wear boots make sure that you check their feet and stomach after a walk and wash them if necessary
  • Honk your car horn twice before starting your vehicle, cats will often seek the heat of a car engine to keep warm
  • The small extremities on your pet are more susceptible to frost bite, routinely check your pet while it is outside in extreme cold; if you suspect that your pet has frost bite, seek veterinary care
  • Ensure that your pet always has its ID tag on and up-to-date; if your pet gets out a Peace Officer can attempt to reach you at the phone number you provide on the tag

Be prepared! In the fall:

  • Start training your pet to wear boots and a jacket
  • Start researching appropriate insulated dog shelters
  • Start exploring other options for physical exercise for your dog during the winter months
  • Take your pet to the veterinarian for its routine health exam
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