Tips to Keep your Pets Happy and Safe during Winter Season

Tips to Keep your Pets Happy and Safe during Winter Season

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The common family structure now is comprised of, a mother, father, kids and their pet or fur-baby. The majority of the homes in the U.S. have at least one or 2 pets at home. It can be a dog or a cat, in some rare cases, a mix of dogs and cats.

Pets just like kids they need extra care and attention during winter months. They need more exercise, they still need to go out to do their business, they still love the outdoors even if it's snowing or no matter how it is outside. Winter season can be frustrating, because of the very cold weather, the snow, shoveling the driveway, etc. 

As a pet owner, it's our responsibility to keep them safe during the winter season and to make them happy at the same time. 

Here are some tips to keep you Pets Safe and Happy during the Winter season.

1. Protect them from the cold.

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Before going for a walk with your pet make sure to dress them up to protect them from cold. Something that can cover their ears, paws, and jackets especially for small breeds. The wig is not really necessary, I just find this dog really cute. She has more clothes than me. Lol!

According to http://www.paw-rescue.org, coats and booties can help your dog stay warm. In particular, short-haired or elderly dogs benefit from wearing a coat or sweater. Look for coats or sweaters with high collars or a turtleneck that covers the dog from the base of the tail on top to the belly underneath.

2. Protect paws from salt and clean their Paws after.

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The salt and other chemicals used to melt snow and ice can irritate the pads of your pet's feet. Wipe all paws with a damp towel before your pet licks them and irritates his/her mouth. 

Upon returning home, wipe snow and ice off your dog's feet, legs, and belly. Little ice cubes can form in the sensitive spaces between the toes and toe-pads. Remove the ice carefully with your fingers since it may cling to the hairs between the paws. Wiping off your dog will remove any salt, antifreeze or other harmful chemicals that she could ingest them when licking her paws. Source: http://www.humanesociety.org. 

Also, check out www.ebay.com about their Top 5 Shoes to Protect Your Dog's Paws.

3. Give your pets plenty of food and water.

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Pets who spend a lot of time outdoors need more food in the winter because keeping warm depletes energy. Routinely check your pet's water dish to make certain the water is fresh and unfrozen. Use plastic food and water bowls; when the temperature is low, your pet's tongue can stick and freeze to metal. Source: http://www.humanesociety.org.

4. Keep pets indoors 

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Do not take your dog out for a walk if it's too cold outside. Don't let their sad puppy eyes look get you. Eventually, you will get that annoyed stare from your dog, see above picture. Lol!

The best prescription for winter's woes is to keep your dog or cat inside with you and your family. The happiest dogs are taken out frequently for walks and exercise but kept inside the rest of the time.Don't leave pets outdoors when the temperature drops. During walks, short-haired dogs may feel more comfortable wearing a sweater. No matter what the temperature is, wind chill can threaten a pet's life. Pets are sensitive to severe cold and are at risk for frostbite and hypothermia during extreme cold snaps. Exposed skin on noses, ears and paw pads can quickly freeze and suffer permanent damage. 

Source: http://www.humanesociety.org. 

Read more tips at http://www.humanesociety.org. and http://www.paw-rescue.org. for more information.