Long Island isn’t setting up for a crazy cold winter. However, temperatures will drop down pretty low, and pets need to be kept safe when this happens. If you have any pets, or stray pets in your neighborhood, it’s important to understand winter pet safety.
Winter Pet Safety Tips
Tango shared great Pet Safety Tips for the summer, and now we're sharing tips for the cold weather months! Take a minute to check out these winter pet safety tips.
- Check their paws for cracks or drying. Stay off of salted roads.
- Watch their weight. It’s winter, we’re all less active during the cold weather months.
- If you have an outdoor cat, or know of outdoor cats in the area, give the hood of your car a bang with your fist. It’ll scare off any cats, or other animals, that may have cuddled up in the warmth to sleep.
- Check your car for antifreeze leaks (so animals don’t drink it).
- Keep your pets INDOORS. Temperatures drop to extreme cold all through winter, and pets aren’t used to them.
- If you can start them doing this as a puppy…. Use booties and jackets for short-haired breeds.
- Never leave your pet in your car.
- Be aware of the signs of hypothermia: shivering, whining, sluggish or anxious behavior.
- When creating a storm disaster kit, keep in mind your pets need supplies, too.
- Keep at least a week’s worth of food, water and their meds in the kit.
- Don’t have your groomer shave your pet’s fur too closely to the skin.
- They need the fur to keep them warm when they go outdoors.
- Try to avoid baths. It just causes dry, flaky skin. If you do have to give your pup a bath, ask your vet to recommend a moisturizing shampoo.
And be sure to have your pet insurance policy in place, just in case of an emergency situation. We're happy to offer assistance in this area, as we recommend a fantastic pet insurance company here at Tango Insurance.