Keeping Pets Safe During Cold Winter Months

Keeping Pets Safe During Cold Winter Months

By MERCK MANUAL EDITORIAL STAFF

 

While winter is a time of holidays and cheer, it isn’t always the easiest time to own a pet. Cold weather can be uncomfortable not only for people, but also for pets. Ice is slippery for everyone, plus pets walking outside can get irritating salt or other chemicals on their paws. Fortunately, with a little preparation and vigilance, pet owners can keep their pets comfortable and safe. Here are some things to consider when it comes to cold temperatures and protecting our animal companions.

Protect Pets from Cold Temperatures

Walks outdoors with a dog (and sometimes a cat!) are one of the most rewarding times for pet owners. Walks are also important for a dog’s overall health by getting them up, out, and exercising. So, it’s important to get pets outside, even when temperatures are dropping. Yet, prolonged exposure to cold can be dangerous for both pets and people. Pet owners should adjust walk times accordingly, and even consider sweaters or other accessories that provide additional warmth for their animals outdoors.

Hypothermia is more likely when an animal has been outside in very cold weather for a long time, but pet owners should still know what to watch for. Shivering is not usually a sign of hypothermia in pets, as it is in people. Instead, pets typically act weak or disoriented, breathe shallowly, have a slow pulse, or at worst, collapse and become unconscious. Pets showing these signs should be seen by veterinarian immediately.

Frostbite may occur in dogs and cats who are poorly adapted to cold climates and is more likely to occur in wet or windy conditions. It typically affects body regions that are poorly insulated, including the tips of the ears, feet, and tail. Affected skin may be pale or red, swollen, and painful. In severe cases, frostbitten tissue may turn black, hard, and eventually fall off (especially the tips of the outer ears). Treatment consists of rapid, gentle warming (with warm, but not hot water) and supportive care. Amputation of affected regions may be required but should be delayed until a veterinarian can see the clear distinction between living and dead tissue.

Protect Pets from Poison Hazards

Owners might not immediately think of it, but winter also comes with poisoning risks. One danger pet owners should look for is rock salt poisoning. Salt used to melt ice on walkways can poison dogs, who may lick it off their paws after a walk. Signs of rock salt poisoning include vomiting within several hours of ingestion that can progress to weakness, diarrhea, muscle tremors, and seizures.

Ethylene glycol (antifreeze) poisoning is another serious wintertime risk because antifreeze is so widely used, tastes sweet, has a small lethal dose (only 3-4 teaspoons in dogs, 1-2 teaspoons in cats), and is often stored and disposed of improperly. Signs of antifreeze poisoning include clumsiness and excess thirst and urination that can progress to vomiting, seizures, or coma. As with rock salt, antifreeze should be stored away from pets, and spills should be cleaned up immediately. Owners should always wipe their pets’ paws after walks, particularly in the winter. And if you suspect rock salt poisoning or antifreeze poisoning, call your vet and animal poison control immediately.

Protect Outdoor Pets

Some pet owners opt to house animals of all kinds – dogs, cats, rabbits, and horses – in outdoor shelters. Hunting and guard dogs especially are often kept outdoors year-round. Outdoor dogs have special needs when it comes to shelter, nutrition, and companionship, which are particularly important to pay attention to in cold temperatures. Specifically, owners should:

• Make sure outdoor shelters are protected from the elements.
• Increase the regular amount of high-quality dog food offered, as dogs will expend a lot of calories trying to keep warm; but split meals into several feedings to prevent digestive problems from eating large meals too fast.
• Provide heated water buckets to prevent water from freezing.
• Provide consistent companionship from other dogs and frequent human contact.

Ideally, cats should be inside in winter. However, if they go outside, just like dogs, cats should be monitored to ensure they have access to warm environments plus food and water.

Rabbits housed outside should have a hutch in a protected place in the back yard, basement, or garage, safe from outdoor predators. Because rabbits are prone to both overheating and developing frostbite, rabbits housed outdoors should be brought inside during extremes in temperature.

Horses living outside in winter must also have shelter, adequate nutrition, and water, along with routine health care. Horses generally do well in cold weather, as long as they are kept dry and clean. Wet animals get chilled easily, and damp conditions promote hoof and respiratory problems. Horses have greater energy needs in winter because they must burn more calories to stay warm. They must always have access to fresh water, because even mild dehydration can increase the risk of colic. Water may need to be heated to keep it from freezing outdoors in the cold. Daily grooming and hoof care are especially important during winter when mud, ice, and snow can get packed into hooves. Horse owners should watch their pets carefully for signs of respiratory disease, which is more common during long periods of indoor confinement. Wintertime veterinary checkups can help identify respiratory or hoof problems early before they develop into serious conditions.

If pet owners take these proactive steps, pets of all kinds can be kept warm, safe, and healthy, even during winter months.