As a pet owner, you do everything you can to keep your beloved pets safe. In the winter, your pet is at risk of a different set of emergencies that can threaten their health and wellbeing. Be aware of the following common winter pet emergencies, and know how to protect your pet from harm.
Food, Alcohol, and Household Poisons
With all of the distractions of holiday gatherings and preparing family meals, it can be easy to lose track of what your pet is doing. However, there are a lot of things around during the holidays that can cause accidental poisoning in your pet. Keep holiday foods and alcohol away from your pet. If you’re storing dangerous chemicals or poisons like antifreeze, make sure they are somewhere your pet can’t reach. Watch for warning signs of accidental poisoning in pets, including vomiting, diarrhea, loss of appetite, lethargy, mania, excessive thirst, seizures, and loss of consciousness.
Winter Illnesses
Your pet is more susceptible to the cold and flu during the winter, and illnesses can spread quickly in doggy day cares, pet hotels, shelters, grooming salons, and even throughout neighborhoods. Try to prevent your pet from sharing a food or water bowl, bedding, toys, and blankets with other pets who aren’t part of your household. Watch for signs of illness, like coughing, sneezing, runny eyes or nose, lack of appetite, dehydration, and diarrhea.
Cold Temperatures
You may think there’s no danger in letting your pet outside in the wind, snow, rain, or cold; however, your pet’s life can quickly be in danger in freezing temperatures. Once the temperature reaches 20 degrees or lower, your pet shouldn’t be outside. Even 30 minutes outside in freezing temperatures can cause frostbite, hypothermia, loss of consciousness, coma, and death. Keep your pet inside and if you do have to go out for a walk, limit your time outdoors and consider giving your pet a sweater or coat.
If your pet is having a medical emergency, contact your closest emergency veterinary hospital for immediate assistance.
