Winter Precautions For Pets

As the cold weather begins and you winterize your home, remember to keep your pets' safety in mind. Early winter is a time when many mishaps befall unsuspecting dogs and cats around the home, so here are a few tips to keep in mind.

Check around your vehicle before you start it in the morning. Cats may curl up on the engine to keep warm, and dogs may sleep near or under a car or truck to stay out of the weather. Always check first and bang on the hood to disturb snoozing pets so that your cat doesn't get caught in the fan belt or you don't back over your own dog in the driveway.

Make sure you don't have any antifreeze leaks, and clean up any spills immediately when you change your fluids. Antifreeze has a sweet taste that pets enjoy, but can be fatally toxic when ingested. If you catch your pet licking up antifreeze, you must contact a vet immediately for treatment although your pet may seem OK for a little while, nothing can be done once kidney failure sets in.

Remove any rodent poisons placed within reach of pets. Often people put out De-Con or other poisons in the fall when mice start coming in, but don't realize that their cats or dogs may also reach the poison. These substances are toxic to dogs and cats too pets can be poisoned by eating the poison, or by eating a mouse that has eaten the poison. Some poisons do not work immediately but affect liver function and blood clotting, resulting in internal bleeding and anemia weeks later.

Check your houseplants. Many cats that spend most of their time outdoors during the summer never notice the plants in the house, but may start to chew on them when they spend more time indoors during the winter. Be sure that any toxic plants are kept out of reach or removed entirely.

Make sure outdoor dogs have dry bedding. If you have a dog or kennel of dogs that lives outdoors, be sure your doghouse is up to code and that the dog has adequate bedding for insulation. Especially during early winter while the weather is still damp, this may mean changing the bedding frequently to avoid contamination with mud, bacteria and parasites.

Groom your pet properly for the weather. Dead fur should be brushed out to make way for a healthy new winter coat, the skin should be checked for irritation or infection, especially under the collar, and excess fur between the toes should be trimmed to prevent ice buildup between the toes in some breeds of dogs. In subzero weather, cats and shorthaired dogs are at higher risk for frostbite on their ear tips, feet and tails. Be sure your pet is 'dressed' properly or stays in a sheltered area in nasty weather.