As the Mercury Dips
As the mercury begins to dip in many parts of the country, we’re offering guidelines to help protect your animal companions:
The best way to keep your dog or cat warm? Keep them inside! Outdoors, dogs and cats can freeze, become lost or injured. Animals who are allowed to stray are exposed to infectious disease, including rabies, from other cats, dogs and wildlife.
Antifreeze, while essential to a car’s cooling system, is very dangerous to your pets if they are exposed to it. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle, and consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol. Thoroughly wipe off your dog’s feet, legs and tummy when he comes in out of the elements. He can ingest salt, antifreeze or other potentially dangerous chemicals while licking his paws, and his pads may also bleed from snow or encrusted ice.
Everybody needs their zzzz’s, please: 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 pillow or blanket is perfect.