How to Keep Your Pets Safe in Winter

Don’t forget your fish, bird and reptile friends. Fish owners may need to increase the temperature on aquarium heaters, while owners of birds, reptiles and amphibians might need to upgrade pet enclosures with additional heat and humidity sources, including drippers and foggers, suggests licensed veterinary technician Amanda Fredal, director of live pet care at pet retailer Pet Supplies Plus.

“Pets that enjoy tropical environments … need to maintain a tropical environment, even in the winter,” she says. “For exotic pets [like birds, fish and reptiles], a drafty window or area in the home must be avoided. It may not be an issue in other seasons, but could become a real health risk to your pet. Keeping a thermometer in the area of an exotic pet’s enclosure can help identify drafts that must be addressed.”

And make sure they don’t get too hot. “Be careful of fireplaces and space heaters,” Berst says. “Pets may like the feel of the heat and get too close and get burned. They could also knock over a space heater and cause a fire.… Consider putting up fencing or blocks so they can’t reach heaters or fireplaces.”

Watch for outdoor weather-related hazards

Slipping on ice and heavy snowdrifts. Senior dogs, especially, can slip on icy surfaces and sustain serious injuries, Fredal says.  And even moderate snowdrifts can pose serious dangers for small dogs that can’t get out of them, Berst notes. Therefore, keeping a path cleared for walks and bathroom breaks is critical.

Frozen bodies of water. Avoid frozen ponds, rivers and lakes, which can be deadly for pets who fall through the ice, Greenstein says. Because bodies of water can be invisible under snow, it’s best to keep pets on leash at all times, says Lindsey Wolko, founder and CEO of the Center for Pet Safety, who says off-leash pets are more prone to getting lost in winter because snow can cover up the scent cues they might otherwise use to navigate home.

Be sure to check your car before turning it on. 

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Car engines. Cats may seek shelter in warm nooks and crannies — like automobile engines. “You want to pound on the hood of your car before you start it in the morning to make sure you don’t have a cat or any kind of rodent that has gone up there to absorb the warmth,” Wolko says.

Chemicals used to treat cold and ice. “Antifreeze is highly toxic to dogs and cats, and when you put the fluid in your car for the windshield wiper you have to make sure there’s none that they can get into or lick,” says veterinarian Grant Little, veterinary expert on the website JustAnswer. “Antifreeze has a sweet aroma to it and dogs and cats typically like the taste of it, but it is extremely deadly.”

Also be careful of deicers. Use ones that are safe for pets, but note that some people don’t. “Most salts can be safe for pets to walk in as long as they aren’t licking it off the paws. You will find the bags at the store can say ‘pet friendly’ or ‘dog friendly’ to show they don’t have added chemicals that are harmful when ingested,” Little says.

Cars that might not be able to stop quickly. Be careful when crossing streets with your pet, cautions Greenstein, who notes that cars may require extra stopping distance on snow and ice.

Outerwear can provide important protection

Indoor sweaters and outdoor jackets. Although some breeds are more cold-tolerant than others — Alaskan malamutes and Siberian huskies were bred to withstand winter temperatures, for example — most dogs need coats and boots when they go outside. Although a light sweater is suitable indoors, Greenstein prefers coats for outdoor use because they tend to be more protective. In particular, she suggests looking for waterproof coats with tapered sleeves that cover the limbs while keeping out snow and water.

Also pay attention to linings, says Wolko, who notes that waterproof material is better for exteriors than for interiors. “I’ve got some beautifully warm Thinsulate jackets myself, but the linings are so slippery that they can be very cold for dogs,” she says. “Something that’s warm — potentially fleece-lined — would be good.”

Footwear for safe winter walking. For footwear, look for both warmth and waterproofing. “In freezing temperatures, wet feet on a dog can cause frostbite of the pads on the paw,” Wolko says.

Foot protection is important to protect not only against cold, but also against the dangers of antifreeze and deicers, mentioned above.

If your dog resists boots, keep a bucket of warm water near the door and rinse their feet before they have a chance to go inside and lick them, Wolko suggests.  Another option, Berst says, is paw wax or balm.

Be alert against illness

Health conditions your pet already has may be exacerbated by the cold. Winter can be especially difficult for animals with osteoarthritis. “Osteoarthritis pain can be more painful in the cold,” says Berst, who suggests orthopedic beds — and perhaps medications or supplements, too. “Ask your veterinarian for ways to help your pet if they seem like they are not moving around as well in the winter months.”

And then there are viruses. “Some pets, like ferrets, dogs, cats and birds, can catch a virus like the flu directly from a human, so it’s important to practice good hygiene always, but especially during flu season,” Fredal says. “Practicing good handwashing and avoiding handling of a pet when sick is safer for you and the pet. Utilizing a medical mask around a pet if you are ill is recommended if you cannot avoid interaction 100 percent.”

Echoes Berst, “Pets may meet their pet friends indoors in the winter months and that could increase the spread of respiratory diseases,” such as the one that has been spreading among dogs across the U.S. “Be sure to make sure your pet is vaccinated, especially against Bordetella and canine influenza.”

No matter the season, accidents happen. Being cautious, however, pays dividends. “These creatures are fully dependent on us, and we as pet owners are responsible for them,” Wolko says. “These are not fun things for pets to go through — and from a pet owner perspective, they are expensive vet visits.”