Snow can be fun, for a while!

Wind chill temperatures in Western New York can often be below zero. Warm your pet on the coldest days with these cold weather pet safety reminders:

*Bring Animals Indoors During Snowstorms: Even "outdoor" pets have difficulty in extreme weather conditions.  Cats should be kept indoors at all times of the year, particularly during the freezing winter months.

* Keep a Tight Leash: Never let your dog off the leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm.  Pets frequently lose their scent on snow and ice, especially if snow is falling at a fast rate, and your pets can easily lose their sense of direction.  They may also panic during a snowstorm and run away; many pets are lost during the winter months. Remember to keep current identification on your pet at all times!

*Keep Pets At Home: Never leave your pet alone in a car during cold weather.  A car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold.  Your pet could literally freeze to death.

*Always Dry Pet's Wet Feet:   Thoroughly wipe off your dog’s legs and stomach when he comes in and out of the rain, snow or ice.  Check his sensitive foot pads, which may be bleeding from snow or ice encrusted in them.  Your dog may also pick up salt and other chemicals on his feet accidentally.  These chemicals could hurt him if he swallows them while licking his feet. 

*Make Pets Cozy: Make sure your pet has a warm place to sleep far away from outside drafts and preferably off the floor.

*Check Cars for Cats: During the winter, stray or neglected cats outdoors sometimes sleep under the hood of the car where it's warm and comfortable.  If you start the motor, cats could get caught in or flung about by the fan belt, causing serious injury or death.  To prevent this, bang loudly on the hood and sides of your car before turning on the ignition to give the cat a chance to escape.

*Keep Outdoor 'Sessions' Short:  Take your dog outside only for as long as it takes for him to relieve himself.  Dogs, particularly small, short-haired breeds like Chihuahuas and terriers, suffer from the cold despite their seemingly warm fur coats.

*Bathe Pets Only When Necessary: Your pet runs the chance of catching a cold when wet, especially in cold weather.  If you absolutely must bathe your pet, consult a professional groomer, or see your veterinarian for recommendations.

*Keep Pets Warm:  Limit the clipping of your pet's hair in the cold winter months, keeping your pet as warm as possible.  Brush your pet daily in lieu of clipping to keep your pet's coat healthy, shiny, clean and mat-free.

*Hungry Pets:  Speak to your veterinarian about increasing your pet's supply of food, particularly protein, to keep his fur thick and healthy through the winter months. Inquire about vitamin and oil supplements.

*ANTIFREEZE IS POISON TO PETS:    ANTIFREEZE, EVEN IN SMALL DOSES, IS A LETHAL POISON FOR DOGS AND CATS! Because of its sweet taste, animals are attracted to it.  Be sure to clean up spills thoroughly, and consider switching to an animal-friendly antifreeze.

*OUTDOOR ANIMAL SHELTER MUST BE SUITABLE FOR INCLEMENT WEATHER: ...and if it's not, animal welfare officers can seize the outdoor pet, even before he or she is showing signs of suffering.