Many people enjoy spending time outside all year round and some of us particularly enjoy outdoor activities during the winter months. Many people believe that because their pets have a coat of fur they are able to withstand the cold better than humans, but this is not necessarily the case. Like us, many animals are accustomed to the warmth of indoor shelter and cold weather can be as hard on them as it is on people. Keeping your dog or cat outside in the cold for long periods of time can lead to serious injury or illness, so consider these tips to help you and your pet stay happy and healthy during the colder months.
• Keep pets indoors as much as possible in cold weather. When they go out, stay with them. When you’re cold enough to go in, your pet is probably ready to return inside too.
• If you use a space heater or light a fire, watch your pets closely. They are as attracted to the warmth as you are, so make sure their tails or paws do not come in contact with flames, heating coils, or hot surfaces that can cause severe burns. Also, if a pet knocks over a heating source, the entire house is in danger of catching on fire.
• Pets who go outdoors can pick up rock salt, ice, and chemical ice melts in their foot pads. Keep your pet’s pads from getting chapped and raw by wiping their feet with a washcloth when they come inside.
• Have your furnace checked for carbon monoxide leakage before you turn it on, both for your safety and your pets’. Carbon monoxide is odorless and invisible, but it can cause problems ranging from headaches and fatigue to trouble breathing and even death.
• Antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle, and consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol.

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