Top 10 Tips for Animal Safety in the Winter

Winter weather can be harsh on our beloved fur-friends and even dangerous for their health. Chemicals from ice-melting agents and chapped itchy paws are only a few discomforts they may face. Check out the Top Ten cold weather safety guidelines below to help keep your pet safe from the health risks associated with cold weather as found by the American Red Cross and the American Veterinary Medical Association. 

1. Know your limits! If it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for your pet. 

Hypothermia is a huge threat for animals, even with their fur coat. Animals can freeze, get injured, or become disoriented if left outside for a long period of time.

Pets should have shortened walks during the cold season, especially if they are elderly. Older dogs with arthritis, diabetes, and heart disease are more likely to run into health issues because they have more problems with regulating temperature and worsening arthritis. You can still encourage winter-friendly activities outside with a game of fetch or training, but take plenty of breaks. 

It is best to keep your family pets inside during harsh weather. Remember that outside animals do not have it easy. The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals® (ASPCA®) works to rehabilitate animals back to health who were abandoned. If you live in New York City, contact ASPCA at 311 for active cruelty or strays. Remember that dialing a number can save a life: 911 or the nearest animal shelter near you.

2. Bundle up your pet. 

How your pet feels the cold depends on the length and composition of their fur. A coat or sweater is recommended to keep your animal warm on walks, along with booties that protect from injuries and chapped paws. Avoid clipping your pet’s fur during the winter time. Trim around the belly only when necessary to avoid getting chemicals stuck to the fur. 

Wrapping a blanket around your pet when they first come back inside will help get their temperature back where it needs to be and provide a safe haven. 

3. Do a health check. 

Dogs and cats have robust paws, but they are still delicate and decay over time if not taken proper care of. Before walking outside, consider applying vet-approved pet balms or petroleum jelly to the pads on their paws to decrease dryness and cracking. Most brands provide natural, organic ingredients that are safe for licking. Your pet may demonstrate some lameness, or limping, due to salt and ice accumulating between the toes, so make sure to always wipe their paws when coming back in. 

Dogs will also stop and pick up a paw if uncomfortable with the weather/ice melt.

If your pet is whimpering, anxious, or seems weaker than usual, it might be time for a vet visit in case of hypothermia or frostbite, which typically affects the tips of ears, feet, and tail, which are poorly insulated. If not treated, there can be severe consequences as far as dead tissue and amputation may be necessary. 

4. Prevent poisoning. 

Dr. Jeff Werber (DVM) says, “In the winter, there are a variety of chemicals and salts used to melt ice on sidewalks and outdoor walkways—and they can get stuck in the hair between the toes and pads […] Licking paws after walks over rock salt can lead to gastrointestinal disturbances as well as electrolyte issues, in some cases.” 

In addition to providing extra protection, boots and paw balm can prevent rock salt from causing irritation between bare toes. Use pet-friendly ice melts whenever possible and clean up any leaked antifreeze quickly. Ethylene glycol, a substance found in antifreeze, can seriously harm a pet's kidneys and neurological system if ingested. Even small amounts can be fatal, so make sure to keep them out of paws reach. 

5. Provide shelter. 

The Humane Society of the United States says that if pets are unable to come indoors, “you should make sure they are protected by a dry, draft-free enclosure large enough to allow them to sit and lie down, but small enough to hold in the pet’s body heat.”

There are times when animal owners prefer to keep their pet outside. Though it is not recommended to keep animals outside for a long period of time, it is important to provide the same necessities you would for an inside pet. Outside shelter should be surrounded by a fence and have no easy escape route. This also prevents outdoor predators getting in. Leashed animals should be provided with enough distance to walk or shelter and not be stuck in one spot. 

Key elements for a safe outside home include:

-A sloped roof to avoid leakage and have proper draining.

-Ground floors about 3-4 inches off the ground to prevent moisture.

-Warm, dry bedding changed regularly. Adding a layer of cedar shavings or straw can provide more insulation.

-An increase of high-quality food offered daily along with a constant supply of water. If possible, acquiring a heated water bowl can encourage your pet to drink more.

-Limited amount of heat lamps or space heaters to prevent the risk of burns on skin or fire.

6. Avoid walking on ice at all times. 

Avoid frozen lakes and ponds. The ice may not support the weight of you and your animal, and the life of the animal and its caregiver can be in danger. The risks of falling through ice include drowning, organ damage, and hypothermia. 

The Animal Emergency & Referral Center of Minnesota states that you should not take your pet out on the ice unless it is deemed safe enough to drive a snowmobile–a minimum 5 inches thick. 

The Minnesota Department of Natural Resources also advises “checking the ice depth every 150 feet.” Keep an eye out for indications of cracked, mushy, or black ice. A tree limb or other partially submerged objects indicate that the surrounding ice is hazardous.

7. Check under your car. 

For outdoor animals, an appealing heat source can be hard to come by. A car engine is a valuable source, but can be fatal. Do a quick scan around the area, bang on the hood, or honk the horn before starting the engine. Squirrels, for example, seek shelter in hoods to spend the night or even build a nest. 

New Jersey Animal and Pest Control Specialist, Paul Barletta, shares that mint or lavender scents can help keep animals away from vehicles. "It is obnoxious to their nostrils," he told Inside Edition in 2018. “He advises spraying the aromas lightly on the engine, inside the car and in the wheel well.”

8. Keep your pet on a tight leash. 

Losing a pet in a winter storm is scary but can be avoidable. It’s unsafe to let your pet wander without a leash. Dogs have a great sense of smell and can typically find their way back on their own if necessary, but a snowstorm is a whole different story. 

The Animal Welfare Society said that, “more dogs are lost during the winter than during any other season…” because they lose their scent in the snow and become easily lost. Contact law enforcement if you see a domestic animal alone in low temperatures, as they can become hypothermic and contract frostbite quickly if left out too long. Having a collar and chip for your animal can help with tracking and identification in an emergency.

A well-fitting collar with up-to-date contact information is recommended for all pets, but a microchip is more permanent as long as you keep up to date with the registry database. 

9. Always be prepared. 

Cold weather can put your pet in a situation where they need first aid. Knowing how to handle emergency situations are essential skills to develop. Having a pet first aid kit can not only help your animal but others too. Items to add to a kit include:

-A copy of your pet’s medical and vaccination records

-Medications

-Gauze and (self-adhering water repellant) bandages

-Antiseptic spray and hydrogen peroxide, which treat and prevent infections of minor cuts, scrapes, and burns.

-Thermometer

-Scissors and tweezers

-Gloves: if your animal has sensitive skin, opt for latex-free

-Towel or blanket

For long-distance trips, a flashlight and travel bowls for food and water are suggested. Try to prioritize items based on importance.

10. Spread Awareness and Volunteer. 

There are many ways to donate your time to help animals in need. Donating or volunteering at animal shelters is a great way to make a huge impact quickly. Donations range from money to items that shelters have on their wish list. For instance, toys, food and bedding. Volunteering at an animal shelter involves duties such as walking, bathing, grooming, and socializing. Shelter Animals Count National Database (SACND), reports that 4,192,000 dogs and cats being adopted in 2024. 

“As we embark on this new year, Shelter Animals Count remains dedicated to transparency, cooperation, and neutrality,” said Stephanie Filer, executive director. ASPCA® has been at the forefront of animal rescue and protection since 1866 and is known as the first animal welfare organization in history. Their latest work is with impacted communities in response to the wildfires in Los Angeles. 

To ensure that you and your animal companions are warm, comfortable, and safe this winter, make sure to remember these Top Ten suggestions. 

Madisyn Rojas is a junior majoring in animal science with a minor in theater arts. She is a club member of The Cyclone Chronicle. This is her very first article to be published. Congratulations, Madisyn!