Ice, Ice Baby
The pandemic has made it so most of are spending more time with our pets—which is great. However, that also might mean more walk time for them in cold and icy winter weather. A few things to remember:
- Grooming matters! You don’t want to shave long-haired dogs, but you should keep coat and paws trimmed to minimize clinging ice balls, de-icing chemicals, and salt crystals.
- Beware antifreeze. Like coolant, antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle and consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol.
- Dispense with de-icers—they are usually full of chemicals that are dangerous for pets. The ones labeled “pet safe” may be less irritating, but they also don’t melt ice very well. Try sand or kitty litter on slick walks.
- Bring them inside when the weather is harsh. If it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for your pet—especially if your dog or cat is short-haired.
- Don’t leave pets in cars! Just as vehicles can quickly become ovens in summer, they can also become refrigerators in very cold weather, and pets could freeze to death inside.
Got a question about “winterizing” your pet? Just give us a call at (417) 739-4090!