How To Ensure Your Pets Are Happy, Healthy and Safe this Winter

With all of the cold weather this season, it’s important to take the proper precautions necessary to protect your favorite furry friend. After all, fur coats aren’t perfect and our pets need extra warmth in the winter, just like us.

Though many of these tips are catered towards dogs or cats, the same principles can be applied to a variety of pets to keep them warm during the colder months. Here are 6 helpful tips to make sure that your pet is happy, healthy and safe this holiday season.

1. Keep Them Fluffy
Make sure you allow your pet to grow out their coat in the winter. Regardless of aesthetic preferences, our pet’s coats are built to keep them insulated, especially in the colder months. Their coats can also protect them from dry, flaky skin that can also be quite common in winter.

Keep your home well humidified to keep your pooch as comfortable as possible after coming in from the snow. Not only will this keep your dog’s coat looking fabulous, but it will also ensure he feels great on the inside too with well-moisturized skin.

2. Protect Their Paws
Salt crystals and de-icing chemicals can dry out your pet’s paws which can be greatly uncomfortable. If possible, invest in a pair of booties to protect their paws properly.

If your pet can’t stand wearing footwear, try to moisturize their paws with a light product specifically formulated for dogs pads. Just being in the cold air can dry out paws, so make checking their paw-pads for cracks and dryness a priority.

3. Leash Safety
In any environment, it’s important to keep your dog leashed for the safety of your pet and others. It’s particularly important to do so during the colder months as snow can cover up familiar scents. Should your pooch get lost, it’s that much harder for him to find home. Save yourself the trouble and keep your dog safely leashed while out on walks.

4. Stay Inside
If it feels too cold for you to go outside, it’s probably not great for your pet either. When in doubt, stay inside.

You can find a number of indoor potty solutions for your pet to relieve themselves without having to go out into the harsh weather.

However, it’s important that your pet still gets their needed exercise, so try to opt for more playtime inside instead of a full walk.

5. Pay Attention To Their Cues
You know your pet better than anyone else, so make sure you know their limits. If your pet is trying to signal to go back home after just a short time outside, give them the benefit of the doubt and return promptly.

Pets are as unique as snowflakes. It’s super important that you take different factors like age and breed into account.

It’s always better to be safe than sorry, so make sure you’re paying close attention to any signs that your pet is uncomfortable. It’s up to us to make sure their needs are met, so find a way to respond to your pet’s communication appropriately.

6. Keep Them Cozy
Does your pet have a comfortable, warm place to lie inside? Is their bed near a drafty air duct? Is so, move their things appropriately.

It’s important to keep our pets adequately warm and moisturized in the winter, especially inside where they’re likely to spend the bulk of their time. Make sure they have access to lots of water, as the dry air can leave them dehydrated.

If you have to go outside, make sure your pet is covered in a coat. Fur alone is not always enough, and it’s always a good idea to use a coat, just to be safe.

Just like us, pets are sensitive to the weather. It’s important we pay attention to their needs so that they can stay safe all year long. Remember, every pet is different, so it’s up to you as the owner to craft a proper winter care routine for your fur baby. If you ever have questions, be sure to reach out to your veterinarian, they are happy to help keep your pet safe.

Pets are one of the many things to celebrate during the holiday season. Just make sure that you are keeping your pet adequately warm and hydrated so that they can enjoy the winter months as much as the rest of us.