Photo By: SEPpics @ sxc

Keep Your Pets Safe In Winter

Just because they’re animals, doesn’t mean your pets have a natural ability to cope with winter. They need your help to protect them from the many dangers lurking in that winter wonderland!

• Despite their “fur coats” dogs and cats can still get frostbite, so consider the temperature before leaving them out for any length of time. Be especially careful with puppies, kittens and elderly animals. And don’t let pets roam freely in an unfenced area. Animals can become disoriented when the ground is covered with snow, which is why so many pets are lost during winter.

• Ethylene glycol antifreeze is a deadly poison, but its sweet taste is attractive to animals, so be sure to quickly clean up any spills. Or better yet, buy antifreeze made with propylene glycol, which is much safer.

• Pets can get sick if they consume road salt or other ice-melting chemicals when licking their paws, so clean off their legs and feet after they’ve been outside.

• If your dog must spend a lot of time outside, provide a sturdy, windproof shelter located in a sunny area. Raise it several inches above the ground, and cover the door with a flap.

With these simple precautions, you can make winter much easier on your pets.

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