With another cold and snowy weekend ahead in the region, a reminder to keep your pets safe.
While there are some dog breeds that can thrive in colder weather, most cats, dogs and other pets left outside are at risk of hypothermia, frostbite on their ears, paws and tails, illness or even death.
Ontario’s Solicitor General Sylvia Jones stresses pets should be kept indoors during extreme weather among other precautions.
If your pets normally live outside, check on them regularly during extreme weather and make sure they have insulated shelter free from drafts.
Other suggestions include limiting your pets time outdoors and wiping their paws to remove salt or other chemicals.
There are also other risks and environmental hazards that can be dangerous to pets in the winter. Some tips to keep pets happy and safe this winter include:
- Keeping toxic chemicals like anti-freeze or windshield-wiper fluid out of a pet’s reach, as it can be lethal
- Protecting pets from salt used to de-ice roads, because it can irritate paws and be harmful if ingested. Wipe off their feet and stomach when you get home to ensure any salt or other chemicals are removed
- Never let them walk on frozen bodies of water, as falling through thin or cracked ice can pose life-threatening risks to humans and animals such as hypothermia or drowning
- When walking your dog, consider giving them a winter coat to help retain body heat, particularly for small dogs, elderly dogs, puppies and short-haired dogs, as they are more vulnerable to cold temperatures
- Don’t leave your cat or dog alone in a cold car, because this could lead to hypothermia and potential death
- Feed your pet a bit more during winter months, as it takes extra energy to stay warm
If members of the public see a pet in distress and believe the animal’s life is in immediate danger, call 911 right away.
