Winter Pet Care Tips from IAMS

IAMS recently sent me some great tips that I wanted to share with you for caring for our pets during the winter months. IAMS and the Ontario SPCA have put these tips together to help families keep their pets healthy, safe and warm during the winter.

Check ups – Take your animals for a winter checkup before the cold kicks in. Your veterinarian can check to make sure they don't have any medical problems that will make them more vulnerable to the cold.

Winter fashion isn’t just for humans – Just like we get dressed up to stay warm in the winter, some pets do, too! Try dressing your pet in a winter sweater, jacket or booties to keep them warm on winter walks. The outfits may not be fitting for every pet’s playful personality, but they certainly help keep them warm!

Take pet paw precautions - After taking your pet for a walk in the winter, be sure to wipe their paws and underside after being outside. Salt and other chemicals used to melt snow and ice on the roads and sidewalks can irritate and burn your pet’s sensitive paws. Soaking your pet’s paws in warm water before drying them off also helps remove chunks of snow and is soothing for their pads

Cars in the winter are like freezers – Never leave your cat or dog unattended in the car during the cold weather months. Cars act like refrigerators and freezers in the winter and could cause your pet to suffer from severe hypothermia.

Consider their coat in the cold – When the temperature drops below zero, pets should not be left outside for long periods of time, especially cats and short-coated dogs and puppies as they are particularly vulnerable to cold temperatures. If you have a cat or short-coated dog, only take them out for short walks and consider dressing them in sweaters to keep the heat in.

Hydration – Keep an eye on your pet's water bowl. It’s easy not to realize that a water bowl has frozen and your furry friend might be unable to drink. Animals that don't have access to clean, unfrozen water are more likely to drink out of puddles or gutters, which can be polluted with oil, antifreeze, household cleaners, and other chemicals.

Home heating – We know there is nothing better than lighting a fire to keep warm. If you plan to light a fire or plug in a space heater, remember that the heat will be as attractive to your pets as to you. As your dog or cat snuggles up to the warmth, keep an eye out to make sure that no tails or paws come in contact with flames, heating coils, or hot surfaces. Pets are clumsy and also unable to undo a small mistake so remember that they can either burn themselves or knock a heat source over and put the entire household in danger.

For more information on health and nutrition tips for cats and dogs of all life stages, visit IAMS.