The first and most obvious step is to bring any outside animals inside if possible. Even a garage is better than anywhere exposed to the elements.
As for outside animals such as feral cats, Beth Oleson with Woodford Humane Society says it's important not to line shelters or houses with the first thing that might come to mind.
"So you wanna make sure that whatever house or structure you have set for them has a pretty good layer of dry clean straw. Blankets and other fiber or fabric items will get wet and become just a frozen solid mess pretty quickly, so keeping them dry is the best way to keep them warm," she notes.
Indoor animals should take brief walks. more frequently if necessary. Oleson says wiping off their feet isn't just a good idea for your floors or carpet.
"A lot of the deicers that are on sidewalks and roads right now are not great for animals," she says. "And if they're gonna be licking their feet, you don't really want them to be licking that off."
Meanwhile, make sure any outside water bowls are frequently refilled or heated so they don't freeze over.
And lastly, Olsen says one of the most common misconceptions she hears is that animals are naturally equipped to take care of themselves in the cold. She says that is not always the case, and pet owners need to take that into consideration with animals who are just as accustomed to indoor heat as their humans.
Here's a full list of tips from the ASPCA:
- Remember, if it’s too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for your pet, so keep your animals inside. If left outdoors, pets can freeze, become disoriented, lost, stolen, injured or killed. In addition, don’t leave pets alone in a car during cold weather, as cars can act as refrigerators that hold in the cold and cause animals to freeze to death.
- Keep your home humidified and be sure to towel dry your pet as soon as they come inside. Repeatedly going into the cold and then coming back into a warm home can cause itchy, flaking skin. Pay close attention to their feet and in-between their toes and remove any snow balls from between their foot pads to prevent and treat skin irritation in the winter.
- Massage petroleum jelly or other vet-approved paw protectants into paw pads before going outside to protect from salt and chemical agents. Booties can provide even more coverage and can also prevent sand and salt from getting lodged between bare toes and causing irritation. Use pet-friendly ice melts whenever possible.
- Never shave your dog down to the skin in winter. A longer coat will provide more warmth. If your dog is long-haired, simply trim them to minimize the clinging ice balls, salt crystals and de-icing chemicals that can dry their skin, and don’t neglect the hair between their toes. If your dog is short-haired, consider getting them a coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck with coverage from the base of the tail to the belly.
- After each walk, make sure to wash and dry your pet's feet and stomach to remove ice, salt and chemicals. Don't forget to check for cracks in paw pads or redness between the toes. You may also want to bring a towel on long walks to clean off stinging, irritated paws.
- Bathe your pets as little as possible during cold spells. Washing too often can remove essential oils and increase the chance of developing dry, flaky skin. If your pooch must be bathed, ask your vet to recommend a moisturizing shampoo and/or rinse.
- Thoroughly clean up any anitfreeze spills. Like coolant, antifreeze is a lethal for dogs and cats. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle, and consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol. Additionally, cold weather chemicals like ice melts can be dangerous when ingested, so always be mindful and keep chemicals up and out of paws' reach.
- Feed your pet a little extra in the winter months. Pets burn extra energy by trying to stay warm in wintertime. Feeding them a little bit more can provide much-needed calories, and making sure they have plenty of water to drink will help keep them well-hydrated and their skin less dry.
- Make sure your companion animal has a warm place to sleep, off the floor and away from all drafts. A cozy dog or cat bed with a warm blanket or pillow is perfect.
- Never let your dog off leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm. Dogs can lose their scent in the snow and easily become lost. More dogs are lost during the winter than during any other season, so make sure your dog always wears an ID tag.
