Cold Weather Tips:
- Never let your dog off leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm. Canines may lose their
scent in winter weather, and can easily become lost. In fact, more dogs are reported lost during this
time of the year than in any other season, so make sure yours always wears proper identification.
- Provide your companion animal with a warm place to sleep, far away from drafts and off the floor. Dog
and cat beds with a warm blanket or pillow are especially cozy.
- Please keep cats inside! Felines who spend time outside can freeze, or become lost or injured. And
some outdoor cats seek the warmth under the hoods of cars--so if there are any such kitties in your
neighborhood, remember to bang loudly on the hood and wait a few seconds before starting your
vehicle.
- Wipe off your dog's legs and belly when she comes in out of the elements. This will remove any salt,
antifreeze or other harmful chemicals that could hurt your dog should she ingest them when licking her
paws.
- Puppies can't handle the cold as well as adult dogs, and may be more difficult to housebreak during
the winter.
- Keep your cat inside. Outdoors, cats can freeze, become lost or stolen, or be injured or killed. Cats
who are allowed to stray are exposed to fatal infectious diseases, including rabies.
- If you own a short-haired breed, consider getting a warm coat or sweater for your dog. Look for one
with a high collar or turtleneck that covers your dog from the base of her tail on top and to the belly
underneath. While this may seem like a luxury, it is a necessity for many dogs.
- Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather. A car can act as a refrigerator in the
winter, holding in the cold. Your companion animal could freeze to death.
- If your dog is sensitive to the cold due to age, illness or breed type, take him outdoors only long
enough to relieve himself.
- If your dog spends a lot of time engaged in outdoor activities, increase his supply of food, particularly
protein, to keep his fur thick and healthy.
- Antifreeze, even in very tiny doses, is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. Because of its sweet taste,
animals are attracted to it. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle. To prevent
accidental poisonings, more and more people are using animal-friendly products that contain
propylene glycol rather than the traditional products containing ethylene glycol. Call your veterinarian
or The ASPCA National Animal Poison Control Center (ASPCA/NAPCC) if you suspect your animal
has been poisoned.
- Keep Christmas trees, decorations, and ornaments away from your pet. Use unbreakable ornaments
rather than glass in case your pet dislodges one and it breaks. Don't allow your pet to drink the water
from the Christmas tree.
Warm Weather Tips:
- Overheating (heat prostration) can kill an animal. Never leave an animal alone in a vehicle, since even
with the windows open, a parked car, truck or van can quickly become a furnace. Parking in shade
offers little protection, as the sun shifts during the day. When traveling, carry a gallon thermos filled
with fresh, cold water.
- Don't force your animal to exercise after a meal in hot,humid weather. Always exercise him or her in
the cool of the early morning or evening.
- In extremely hot weather, don't leave your dog standing on the street, and keep walks to a minimum.
He is much closer to the hot asphalt and his body can heat up quickly. His paws can burn since they
are not protected by shoes.
- Never take an animal to the beach unless you can provide a shaded spot and plenty of fresh water for
her to drink. Rinse her off after she has been in salt water.
- Always provide plenty of shade for an animal staying outside the house. A properly constructed dog
house serves best. Bring your dog or cat inside during the heat of the day and let her rest in a cool
part of your house. Always provide plenty of cool, clean water for your animal.
- Please be sensitive to old and overweight animals in hot weather. Brachycephalic (snub-nosed) dogs
(especially bulldogs, Pekingese, Boston terriers, Lhasa apsos and shih tzus) and those with heart or
lung diseases should be kept indoors in air-conditioning as much as possible.
- Keep a current license and identification tag on your dog or cat and consider tattooing or
microchipping as a means of permanent identification.
- Avoid walking your dog in areas that you suspect have been sprayed with insecticides or other
chemicals, as poisonings increase during the summer when gardens, lawns and trees are sprayed.
These chemicals can sicken or kill an animal. Call your veterinarian or The ASPCA National Animal
Poison Control Center (ASPCA/NAPCC) if you suspect your animal has been poisoned.
- A clean coat can help to prevent summer skin problems, so keep your dog or cat well groomed.
- Take your companion animal to the veterinarian for a spring or early summer checkup, including a test
for heartworm if your dog isn't on year-round preventative medication. Have the doctor recommend a
safe, effective flea and tick control program or use a natural product.
- Never tie an animal outside on a correction collar. He can choke to death. If you must tether him, use a
buckle collar with identification tags instead. (This applies in any season.)
- Never let your animal run loose where there is a chance they could run away. This is how an animal
can contract a fatal disease, including rabies, or be injured, killed or stolen. Be sure there are no
open, unscreened windows or doors through which your animal can fall or jump.
- If you allow your pet to swim, make sure they have a well-fitted life jacket in case they become tired.
- Do NOT take your pet to firework displays. While it may seem like fun, your pet's sensitive hearing
cannot tolerate the loud noises. They are safer at home and will feel more secure.
- Many pets fear thunderstorms or fireworks. Make sure if your pet is fearful, that you do not leave them
at home unsupervised as their fear could cause them to break out of a window and run away. Keep
them crated in a room without windows to ensure their safety.
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