Keep your Pets safe during cold weather

With the recent influx of extreme weather conditions in many parts of the country, we would like to remind Pet owners to take extra precautions to keep their furry family members safe.

• Remember that Pets are much are safer indoors – especially in freezing, or close to freezing weather. Dogs need outside exercise but only for limited periods of time.

• De-icing chemicals (such as driveway or sidewalk salt) can be dangerous to Pets even in small amounts of exposure. The salt and other chemicals used to melt snow and ice may irritate the pads of your Pet’s feet. Wipe its feet with a damp towel each time you bring it inside, even if you don’t see salt on the walkways.

• Antifreeze is deadly to Pets because it has a sweet taste that can be fatal if swallowed. Even antifreezes formulated with propylene glycol can be dangerous to Pets. If you see your Pet ingesting antifreeze or suspect that it may have had access, seek veterinary attention immediately.

• Provide your Pet with additional food and water. During cold weather, Pets require more energy to regulate their temperatures. If you have questions, discuss your Pet’s nutritional requirements with your veterinarian.

• Indoor Pets may need extra monitoring as well. Some Pets, such as reptiles or tropical fish may be temperature-sensitive to cold air. Pay attention to room temperatures to ensure that these Pets don’t get chilled.

Your Banfield veterinarian is your best source of information for your Pet – no matter what the weather. If you have questions, make sure to schedule an appointment with your local Banfield hospital.