Helping Your Pets Survive the Winter

Helping Your Pets Survive the Winter

While Durham and Chapel Hill may not have to contend with the winter blizzards that regularly threaten New York City or Boston, it still gets plenty cold here in North Carolina. Smaller dogs, older dogs or dogs with short coats are especially vulnerable to this dip in temperatures, as are outdoor cats. Here’s how to keep your pets warm, safe and healthy during the winter months.

Top 5 Winter Pet Care Tips

#1: Bundle up. 

When the mercury dips into the 30s, your pets need an extra layer of warmth if they are spending time outside. Dress your pet in a sweater or light jacket that reaches from the base of the tail and around the stomach.

#2: Use pet-safe deicer. 

While snowstorms may be a rare occurrence in North Carolina, icy roads, sidewalks and driveways are a common winter problem. Many deicers, however, contain chemicals that are dangerous to pets. When using deicer, choose a pet-safe option that is salt-free.

#3: Clean up antifreeze spills. 

Antifreeze may taste like a sweet treat to pets, but the active ingredient in antifreeze it is highly toxic. Symptoms of antifreeze poisoning include disorientation, wobbly and uncoordinated movement, vomiting, diarrhea, excessive urination, and rapid heartbeat. If you suspect your pet may have ingested antifreeze, don’t wait for additional symptoms to develop. Immediate medical attention within 24 to 48 hours is essential to saving your pet’s life.

#4: Limit outdoor time. 

Even if your pet is bundled up against the cold, it’s still a smart move to restrict time outdoors to no more than 15 to 20 minutes of play. In the event of a snow or ice storm, keep your pet on a leash at all times when using the bathroom. Outdoor cats should also be kept indoors during a storm.

#5: Watch out for cats in cars. 

In cold weather, cats like to curl up in the car engine to stay warm, which can lead to serious injury or death if the car is started without warning. Always check first.

How do you keep your pets warm in the winter?