Winter Safety Tips for Pets

  • Avoid shaving your pet during the winter months; longer coats will provide additional warmth
  • Reduce the amount of snow and salt that collects between their toes by clipping the fur between toe pads. Be sure to rinse your pet’s paws with warm water and dry them each time your furry friend returns indoors.
  • If your pet doesn’t have a naturally warm winter coat, be sure to put a coat or sweater on them before going outside.
  • NEVER leave your pet in the car, regardless of the temperature. A car can act as a refrigerator during the winter, trapping the cold temperature inside and causing hypothermia.
  • Many common holiday plants such as holly, mistletoe, and poinsettias can cause irritation, vomiting, and worse. Call your vet right away if you think your pet may have ingested a toxic plant!
  • Keep small decorations out of your pet’s reach. They can be a choking hazard and decorations like tinsel can cause intestinal obstruction.
  • Make sure you are aware of what foods may be toxic to your pet. Macadamia nuts, walnuts, garlic, and onions are just a few of the popular holiday foods that can cause your pet to become ill.
  • Keep your pets on a leash when outside: they can lose their scent in the snow!
  • Create a cozy space inside – away from cold drafts – for your pet to relax. Keep your cats inside, even if they like to frequent the great outdoors.
  • Don’t feed your pets table scraps, especially candy and other goodies.