Dogs and Cats need to keep Warm

Tips to keep them safe:

Only take dogs and cats outdoors when necessary because they can get frostbitten ears, noses and feet if left outside.

The two biggest threats to our pets: (haha get it!)

1) Hypothermia and 2) Dehydration

What to do:

For Inside Pets:

- Consider a sweater for short-coated breeds, avoid sweaters made of cotton

- Keep fireplaces screened and heaters out of reach as a pet may chew the cord or knock it over and cause a fire.

For outside pets:

-Give them thick old blankets or towels to snuggle up with

-Make sure they have food and water

-Consider installing a door, and make sure the "door" to their house is protected against wind

-Check on them regularly, to check for signs of hypothermia and to replace frozen water

Remember: Animals naturally found in warm temperatures can not adapt to severe drops in temperatures.

- Outdoor cats will climb under the hoods of cars for warmth, bang loudly on your car’s hood before starting the engine to give them a chance to move.

-Your car becomes a freezer in the winter-don't leave them inside of it.

After taking them on a walk:

-Avoid tiny cuts and cracked pads by towel or blow-dry after exposure to rain or snow.

Remember: chemicals used to melt snow and ice walkways can burn your pet

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