Education - Care & Training Tips

Keep Your Pet Safe from Winter Hazards

  • Make sure your pet sleeps away from drafts, preferably in a pet bed.
  • A dry, elevated dog house should be provided for dogs when they are outdoors. The house should be small enough to be warm from the dog's body heat, but large enough for the dog to stand up and turn around. Insulation, including a door flap, carpeting, towels, and facing the house away form the wind will protect against the cold.
  • When the temperature dips below 20 degrees Fahrenheit, it's best to keep all dogs indoors, even if a dog house is provided. Short haired dogs, cats and puppies should be kept indoors at 40 degrees or below.
  • In fact, to protect your pet from the dangers of inclement weather and to prevent your pet from straying far from home, we recommend that you keep your pets, including cats, indoors on a regular basis. Unless your pet has adequate shelter and your supervision, living outdoors can be hazardous to your pet.
  • Make sure your dog and your cat always wear an appropriately fitting collar and an I.D. tag with your current address and phone number.
  • Compare the amount of exercise your dog receives during the colder months to warmer months. If your dog is indoors more at this time of year, he's probably getting less exercise and may need less food. How-ever, if your pet is outside often in the winter months, he may need more food to burn the calories necessary to produce more body heat.
  • Regularly check your pet's water to make sure it is not frozen. When your pet is outside, make sure there is plenty of fresh drinking water available. Ice and snow does not provide enough liquid for an animal. They can't burn calories without a fresh supply of water, and if they can't burn calories, they will get cold.
  • In their search to keep warm outdoors, cats take refuge next to a warm car engine or tire. To alert an animal that may be in your vehicle, slap the hood before starting your car.
  • Keep your pet's coat well-groomed during the winter. Fur that's matted won't properly protect your pet from the cold.
  • Antifreeze tastes sweet to pets but is poisonous if consumed. Should a pet ingest any amount of antifreeze, contact your veterinarian immediately. Check your car for seepage, too.
  • When adding antifreeze, clean up any spills and be sure to keep this substance out of your pet's reach. Antifreeze and coolants that are essentially non-toxic are also available at many auto supply stores.
  • Ice-melting chemicals can irritate and burn the pads of your pet's feet. Do not allow your pet to lick its feet after its walked outdoors. The chemicals may burn their mouth and cause serious problems if ingested. When your pet comes in from the cold, use a damp towel to wipe off its feet and underside.
  • Remove snow piled high next to your fence. It can provide a boost for your dog to jump over and become lost.
  • If you suspect an animal is deprived of adequate food, water, or shelter, call the Idaho Humane Society 208-342-3508 ex 227.

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*Many thanks to the Denver Dumb Friends League for providing this content!