Winter warnings to keep you and your pet safe

Winter has arrived and with the ice, snow, and cold weather comes a lot of outdoor hazards for our pets. Here are some things to keep in mind over the next few chilly months.

Check Your Car

When it's cold out, animals seek out any warmth they can find. For a stray cat, that warm spot might be tucked up in your car near your engine. Simply banging your hand on the hood of your car before you get in or honking the horn to startle the cat away could save its life!

Paw Protection

Although they do make pet boots, most dogs aren't comfortable wearing them. The idea behind them is good, though - your pet's feet need protection. The ice and salt on the roads and walkways this winter can do a lot of damage to pads of your dog's feet. To protect them, try something like Musher's Secret, which is a wax substance that you rub onto your dog's paw pads. And when your pets come indoors, make sure you clean their feet off to remove any built up snow or ice.

Don't Eat That

Two of the most common hazards of winter are antifreeze and the salt used on roads and walkways. Antifreeze is very poisonous but, with its sweet taste, it's also very tempting to pets. Just a little bit of antifreeze can cause your pet to become seriously ill. Although manufacturers do offer antifreeze that is less enticing to pets, it's still dangerous if ingested. Be sure to clean up spills, fix leaks, and keep your pets from wandering around driveways and garages where they are most likely to find antifreeze.

The salt used on roads and sidewalks can also be dangerous, especially if your dog licks its paws. The salt can irritate their paws and, if ingested, could cause problems like diarrhea or vomiting. If consumed in large quantities, it can even be fatal. In addition to protecting your pet's feet, as is mentioned above, you can help keep your pet safe by using non-toxic pet-safe snow melt around your home. Remember, though, that although your home may be safe, other areas in your town are likely not using the pet-safe snow melt, so always keep an eye on your pets and wash their feet after they've been outdoors.

Let There Be Light

No matter what time of day it is, it seems like it's always dark out when I driving in the winter. It's dark when I drive to work in the morning and it's dark when I drive home at night. No matter how dark and cold it is, though, there is always someone out and about walking their dog. And, without fail, those people have no lights or reflective gear on themselves or the dogs to help make them more visible. With the addition of dark winter clothing, it becomes nearly impossible to see people walking on the street. If you're not willing to don reflective gear yourself, consider getting something reflective for your pet, at least. Or, if you truly want to stand out in the dark, get your pet a light-up collar or a special light that clips on your pet's collar or leash that can be removed for daytime walks.

Alaina Goodnough is the Promotions Coordinator at Cocheco Valley Humane Society in Dover, NH. She lives in Sanford, ME with two parrots, a cockatoo, two cats, a bearded dragon, and two dachshunds. She can be reached at CVHS at devassist@cvhsonline.org. To learn more about Cocheco Valley Humane Society, go to www.cvhsonline.org or call 603-749-5322.