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Entry 90Filed under Breeding

How to Keep Pets Happy and Healthy All Winter

Keep pets safer and more comfortable all winter with individualized cold-weather care, post-walk paw checks, safe exercise, and protection from antifreeze and de-icers.
4-minute read By Animalso Team
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Keep winter care personal: watch how your pet responds to the cold, provide a warm and dry place to rest, clean and check paws after walks, and keep antifreeze and de-icers out of reach. For dogs especially, age, size, coat, health, body condition, and acclimation all affect cold tolerance, so no single temperature or walk duration is safe for every animal.

How to tell whether your dog is too cold

Cold tolerance varies with a dog’s size, age, nutritional status, health, coat thickness, and acclimation, according to Cornell University College of Veterinary Medicine. Puppies, small or thin-coated dogs, older dogs, underweight dogs, and dogs with medical conditions may be more vulnerable. Pay attention to your dog and the conditions rather than relying on a universal safe temperature or time limit.

Watch for shivering, whining or barking, a tucked tail, a hunched posture, lifting paws, reluctance to walk, or sudden anxious behavior. Brian Collins, D.V.M., of Cornell University Hospital for Animals, notes: “If a dog is picking up its feet or seems reluctant to walk this may be a sign that he/she is too cold.” If you see these signs, bring your dog into a warm, dry place.

Prolonged cold exposure can lead to frostbite or hypothermia. Ears, paws, and tail tips are commonly affected by frostbite, and damage may be difficult to assess at first. Contact a veterinarian immediately if you suspect frostbite or hypothermia.

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Give pets a warm, dry place to rest

Keep pets indoors during severe cold and never leave them unattended in a cold car. At home, provide a warm sleeping spot off the floor and away from drafts; a bed and blanket can help. Cornell generally does not recommend keeping a dog primarily outdoors.

If a dog does live outdoors, Cornell’s guidance calls for prior acclimation, a double coat, fresh unfrozen water, and insulated shelter protected from wind, with dry bedding raised off the ground. These are conditions for outdoor housing, not a reason to leave a dog outside in severe weather.

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When a coat or sweater may help

A coat or sweater can help a small, older, or thin-coated dog during cold outings. Whether clothing is useful depends on the individual dog and conditions. Choose something that fits comfortably and does not restrict movement; remove it if your dog seems distressed or cannot move normally.

Avoid shaving a dog’s coat too short in winter. For long-haired dogs, limited trimming may help prevent snow and ice from packing into the coat without removing too much of its protection.

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Protect paws from snow, ice, and de-icers

Snow can pack between toes, while ice and salt can crack or cut paws. De-icers may irritate paws and can be harmful if licked or swallowed. Avoid heavily treated paths when practical, and do not let dogs eat treated snow or slush.

  1. Before a walk: Consider well-fitting booties to reduce contact with treated surfaces and help protect paws. A pet-appropriate or veterinarian-approved paw protectant is another option, but it does not replace cleaning afterward.
  2. After a walk: Wipe or wash your dog’s paws and belly, dry them thoroughly, remove snowballs, and check for cracks, cuts, or redness. An absorbent towel makes drying easier.
  3. At home: Store ice melts and automotive products where pets cannot reach them.

Antifreeze requires urgent caution

Ethylene-glycol antifreeze can be deadly to pets. Clean spills promptly and prevent access to containers or contaminated areas. If you think a pet may have ingested antifreeze, seek veterinary help immediately. ASPCA guidance also directs owners to contact a veterinarian or ASPCA Poison Control for suspected ingestion; use the current contact details listed by ASPCA.

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Keep exercise and mobility safe

Adjust winter walks to your dog’s behavior, coat, health, and the weather. Turn back if your dog shows signs of cold stress. Snow and ice can make footing difficult, especially for dogs with arthritis or mobility problems. Clear a safe path where possible, consider booties that fit well, and ask your veterinarian about mobility concerns.

Keep dogs leashed on snow and ice, particularly during storms, and make sure their identification is current. If poor weather limits outdoor activity, use indoor play and other suitable enrichment to keep your dog moving and engaged.

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  • Unique Safety Design: In order to prevent cats from biting the wire and getting electrocuted, the wire is wrapped by spiral chewy cover. 7-layer protective structure with UL-certified heating wire protect pets from burns. Soft PVC envelope with waterproof and flame-retardant function. Built-in intelligent temperature sensor in the heating bed to prevent overheating to protect pets.
  • Cat Heated Bed with Timer: The electric beds for cats with timer function provide auto shut-off range from 1 to 24 hours, conserve energy and prevent burns caused by excessive heating. The timer LED will be shifted down one level to tell you how much time is left.
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Adjust food and water to the individual pet

Winter feeding needs depend on actual activity, exposure to cold, body condition, and health. Some dogs exercise less in winter and may need fewer calories; other pets may use more energy staying warm. Neither a blanket increase nor decrease in food is appropriate for every animal. Monitor body condition and activity, and ask a veterinarian before making a substantial change to your pet’s diet.

Keep fresh, unfrozen water available. Check it regularly if your pet spends time outdoors.

Care for winter-dry skin and coat

Cold, dry air and frequent shifts between outdoor cold and indoor warmth can contribute to dry, itchy, or flaky skin. Towel-dry your pet after coming inside, paying particular attention to feet and between the toes. Avoid bathing too often during cold spells, since frequent bathing can remove skin oils. If a bath is necessary, ask a veterinarian about a moisturizing shampoo or rinse suitable for your pet.

What about cats and other pets?

The detailed cold-weather guidance cited here focuses mainly on dogs, so dog-specific advice about coats, booties, walks, and feeding should not automatically be applied to cats, rabbits, birds, or other companion animals. A warm indoor resting place and secure storage of antifreeze and de-icers are sensible general precautions, but species-specific care should come from an appropriate veterinary source.

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For further general winter precautions, see ASPCA’s winter safety tips. Its guidance and Cornell’s January 2021 winter-weather advice also discuss keeping pets warm and protecting them from winter hazards.

Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.

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