I just finished watching a wonderful video of dogs reuniting with their military owners after a deployment...as pet owners we all should be aware of how to protect our best friends, canine or feline, during these cold winter months.
1. Keep the antifreeze away -- even in small amounts it's deadly to pets.
2. Don't leave your pets alone in the car in cold weather. The car can act like a refrigerator, keeping in the cold, and causing your animal to freeze to death.
3. Keep your cat inside. Since cats have been known to sleep under the hood of a car to keep warm, bang on your car hood before you start the engine. Give those strays a chance to escape.
4. Never let your dog off the leash during a snowstorm. They can lose their scent in the snow and easily become lost.
5. Wipe off your dog's legs and stomach when he comes in out of the sleet or snow -- chemicals that are used to treat streets and sidewalks can be poisonous.
6. Short haired dogs should wear a coat or a sweater outside, and they have little boots for their paws, too. If your pup gets ice balls between his pads they can be very painful. Trim the hair around their feet and then apply a little vaseline or cooking oil, or even Pam spray to their feet before you go outside. It keeps the snow from sticking!
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