Winter Risks For Dogs & What To Watch For
When Old Man Winter comes to town, it’s always wise to stay informed on major winter dangers for your pups. You should always keep this knowledge in mind if you enjoy walking and being active outdoors during the winter with your fur baby. And while some dog breeds are better able to handle cold weather, even those dogs are not immune to extreme cold weather and seasonal needs. From frozen lakes, rock salt, frostbite, and hypothermia in dogs to the risks of leaving out rat poison or antifreeze—we'll cover them all. Understanding the various winter dangers for your dog will help ensure your beloved pups stay safe throughout the cold winter months.
Winter Is A Fun Time For Most Dogs - But Be Aware Of The Risks
Dogs are fun-loving and good natured, they can usually find the good in all things, even when they shouldn't.
Winter brings some unique dangers to watch out for, some you may not have thought of before. So while you're enjoying the festive season, keep your pup safe by watching out for these common things that can cause harm to your dog.
Winter Dangers For Dogs Around The Home
Each season has it's trials and winter is no exception.
Mouse Traps, Poison etc.
For many homeowners, mice and other invaders can lead you to fight back with things such as bait traps. But some of those bait traps come with peanut butter scented bait, fun to chew plastic covers and other things that entice your dog to investigate. That's why it's important to place any bait, traps or poison where your dog (Or cat!) can't reach them. If you are worried your pet has ingested ANY type of poison, contact your vet immediately.
Car Care Chemicals - Antifreeze is an enemy
Winter means you're probably topping your vehicles engine with anti-freeze. Anti-freeze tastes sweet to dogs, confusing their ability to sense it's actually a poison so it's important to keep get spills, even just a few drops, cleaned up quickly to keep your dog from licking it up.
Holiday Plants, Decor & More
Many people get poinsettia's around the holidays to create a bright and beautiful atmosphere but these plants are highly toxic to pets. If you do get one of these gorgeous plants, be sure to keep them up and out of reach and to watch for any leaves or petals that may fall off to keep them out of reach of curious pets.
Holiday decor ranges from rustic and woodsy to bright and modern but each can present risks. Younger dogs and aggressive chewers can make mincemeat of anything. For 'natural' decor that may have been sprayed or treated with something to inhibit mold growth or decay, this could mean your dog ingests an unknown chemical. Metallic appearing paint can cause damage to digestive systems and accidentally swallowed shards of any material can lead to the need for emergency vet care during the holiday season so it's important to keep these beautifully displayed and well beyond your curious pets reach.
Winter Dog Dangers - Outdoor Risks
Spending a sunny winter afternoon playing can be a great bonding experience for you and your dog. Some of the same risks we watch out for can impact our dogs.
Hypothermia & Frostbite
Both can impact dogs quicker than they do humans (Some breeds are at less risk, those bred for cold climates and some working dogs) and come with signs such as lowered body temperature, uncontrolled shivering, pale skin or reddened skin on extremities such as ears, tails and toes are all signs that the cold has been too much for your dog.
Gentle warming techniques and prompt veterinarian attention can help your dog recover quickly and hopefully with minimal lasting impact.
Natural Dangers - Frozen Lakes & Ponds, Snow Drifts & More
Some dogs love snow, they want to frolic in this frosty landscape, dig to their hearts content and race on top of (Or through!) the snow with joy. But snow can hide things such as bodies of water, trip hazards and other things that can harm your pup if they go running full tilt. Falling into frozen ponds, lakes or other bodies of water can quickly lead to hypothermia or drowning. If your dog gets submerged and unable to get out, dry and warmed within a very short amount of time, it's recommended you take your pet to an emergency care vet immediately.
Other Winter Pet Risks
One common question is: Is rock salt dangerous to dogs? Rock salt and ice melt are not the same as the table salt you sprinkle on your food. These common winter items can get imbedded in your pets paws, causing irritation and cuts. When cleaning their paws, dogs can ingest these chemicals which can cause digestive issues or other side effects.
Another common concern: Can my pet have cookies and treats?
Maybe. But don't let well-meaning strangers feed your dog treats until you've confirmed what is or isn't in it. A single sugar cookie probably won't harm your dog but if it's made with a sweetener substitute such as Xylitol it could be fatal. Too much of any rich treat can create havoc for your dogs stomach so it's best to control what is given to your dog, no matter how much those big puppy dog eyes makes it hard.
PrOactive steps to protect your dog in winter
1: Keep all cold-weather chemicals up and out of reach. Store ice melt in a sealable container (Repurpose plastic coffee containers, hardware buckets with lids etc.) and keep things such as anit-freeze on a shelf where dogs can't get to them. Clean up spills when they happen.
2: Be aware when outside. if you're out in an area you're not familiar with during snowy season keep your dog on a lead. Long leads are a great way to give your dog the freedom to sniff about safely and the lead can be a lifeline to help your dog in case of falls, unexpected water bodies and deep snowdrifts.
3: Plan accordingly: While many dogs can handle being out in the cold for short periods of play, some dogs with single layer coats, short hair or low body mass suffer from cold much quicker. Sweaters, coats with hoods to protect ears, even booties to protect their feet are all great options and can make an outing a photo shoot as your dog shows off their new duds. But many dogs take time to adjust to these so start small in the off season, maybe a t-shirt around home to get your dog used to being put into protective clothing and less likely to resist.
Chipman Road Animal Clinic is Your Go-To Vet in Lee's Summit, MO!
Lee’s Summit and Kansas City pet owners need not worry about the winter dangers for dogs. At Chipman Road Animal Clinic, we are 100% committed to delivering the absolute best veterinary care. It is evident in every aspect of our service that we love and care for our dogs and cats. Give us a call today at 816-524-1886 !
