Tips for Keeping Your Dog Safe in the Winter

As the temperature starts to drop, special care needs to be taken to keep your dog safe and warm. Following just a few simple steps can ensure your dogs safety in the cold winter months.

Anti-freeze - Check your car often for any leaks from your radiator and don't leave radiator fluid around in the garage. Dispose of it safely right away after repairing your car or keep it seal and out of reach until you can dispose of it. Anti-freeze has a sweet taste which is attractive to dogs. Even a small amount of anti-freeze can be dangerous.

Keep brushed - Make sure your dogs coat is brushed and free of mats. Mats and tangles on your dogs coat can interfere with your dogs abilities to stay warm

Keep paws clean - If you take your dog for a walk or if you use rock salt or an ice melting product at your home make sure you wipe your dogs paws when they come in. Some snow melting products can be poisonous and be dangerous if your dog licks his paws. Sometimes even salt products can burn the pads of your dogs paws. Consider dog shoes if your dog will tolerate them.

Keep on leash - While this is important year round for your dog to be on a leash when away from home it is especially important in the winter snow. It is harder for your dog to track scents in the snow and they can more easily get lost and not find their way back.

Shelter - If your dog spends lots of time outside in the winter make sure he or she has a safe shelter. A slightly raised off the ground shelter area, with a flap door will keep the floor dry and your pet warm. If you have a dog house make sure he likes to use it before winter comes.

Water bowl - Keep track of the water outside and make sure it doesn't freeze over and if it does break the ice and replace the water. Use a plastic water bowl to help prevent your dogs tongue from sticking to the bowl if he licks it during the colder times.

Food - If your dog is active make sure you add extra food to his or her food bowl at feeding time, more than you do in the summer. They will need the extra food to help their bodies produce more heat when it is cold.

Snow - If you live in an area that gets lots of snow make sure you take extra care to keep it from building up around the fence. If it builds up too much your dog could jump over and easily get lost.