The 2020/2021 winter season has given us consistently cold weather. While this always brings the potential of beautiful snowfall that our pets may enjoy playing in, there are always important safety tips to keep in mind when it comes to the cold weather and your pets. Today we’re going to cover the top 5 cold weather safety tips for pet owners.
1. Keep Your Pet Dry When It Snows
Snow is beautiful, and chances are your dog enjoys playing in the snow when they get the chance. After all, a lot of dogs get friskier when the weather gets colder! But if you take your dog on a walk, or they run around in the backyard after a blanket of snow has fallen, make sure to dry them off when they come back inside.
The cold and ice can irritate the pads of your pet’s paw, so it’s important to towel dry your pet off when they come inside from playing out in the cold or snow. If you’re going on a walk with your pet, you may even want to bring a towel with you to periodically dry them with.
2. Protect Your Pet’s Paws in the Snow
In addition to keeping your pet dry during cold weather, it’s important to do everything you can to protect your pet’s paws. If your pet doesn’t mind them, booties can be a good cold weather option for your pet. But don’t put your pet through unnecessary stress if they resist wearing them.
Another option proposed by the ASPCA could be massaging petroleum jelly on the pads of their paws before they ever go outside. Some of the chemicals and salt used to prevent ice and freezing roads can irritate your pet’s paws and skin. Using booties, petroleum jelly, or other paw protectants can help prevent unnecessary irritation.
For more tips and information on protecting your pet’s paws when it’s snowing, check out our previous blog post on cold winter weather.
3. Your Pet’s Grooming Routine Should Look Different in Winter
This may sound like common sense, but you shouldn’t shave your pet’s coat in the winter. This is one of the things that naturally helps keep them warm when it’s freezing outside.
If your pet has a shorter fur coat naturally, purchasing them a warm winter coat may be an additional option for you. As we’ve mentioned in previous blog posts, you should never force a pet to wear clothing if it’s uncomfortable for them. But your pet may find some extra comfort and warmth through a pet-sized winter coat.
Avoid bathing your pet as much as possible during the winter. The combination of frequent bathing and extreme temperatures outside can result in dry, flaky skin which could eventually lead to cracked paws.
4. Keep Your Pets Happy & Warm With Full Bellies
According to the ASPCA, pets burn energy while trying to stay warm in the winter. Giving your pet a little bit of extra food and making sure they’re hydrated can go a long way in keeping them warm.
It’s also important to make sure that your pet stays warm inside. If it’s too cold outside for you, then it’s too cold for your pet to stay outside. Provide your pet with a warm place to sleep away from drafts and the cold, bare floor. If you don’t have a pet bed, then an appropriately sized pillow or blanket will work just fine!
5. Preventative Pet Care is Crucial for Changing Seasons
No matter what season it is, if there are extreme temperature changes, it’s important that you’re up to date on your pet’s health. Routine, preventative wellness exams go a long way in equipping you and your regular veterinarian with the knowledge to keep your pet healthy, whether it’s freezing outside, or warm.
At PetWellClinic, we provide basic preventative care for dogs and cats of all sizes. Our wellness packages range from basic to advanced. We even have specific packages for puppies and kittens! Visit your PetWellClinic location today to discuss routine care options with one of our veterinarians.
It’s also still important to provide your pet with flea and tick preventative treatments. This is something we’ve written about on the blog before, but it’s important to keep in mind.
- Fleas stay alive in temperatures as low as 33 degrees.
- Tick season is every season! Especially in East Tennessee and other moderately warm climates.
- Flea eggs can survive the cold in protected areas like crawl spaces.
If your pet spends any time outside, their warm fur coat, and the heat radiating from their bodies are the perfect invitation for one of these irritating pests to make themselves at home. Taking a break from preventative treatments just isn’t worth the risk. PetWellClinic offers discounted prices for a number of safe flea, tick, and heartworm preventative products. Talk to your PetWellClinic veterinarian today to discuss the best option for your own furry friend.
Celebrate a Happy, Healthy Winter With Your Pet
Taking the right precautions to protect your pet when it’s cold will help you enjoy a happy and healthy winter with your pet. Using common sense and talking to one of our veterinarians at PetWellClinic about what steps you need to take for your pet can go a long way.
PetWellClinic provides convenient, affordable veterinary care for pet owners. PetWellClinic has locations and services built with your convenience in mind. Stop by with your pet any time! No appointment necessary.