Cold Weather Safety Tips from our Reisterstown Veterinarians

At TLC for Pets Veterinary Hospital, our Reisterstown veterinarians take great pride in serving all pets with the quality, compassionate care they deserve. Our veterinary team also believes strongly in pet owner education so you can have the information you need to best protect your pet's health and wellness. With some of the colder days of the year upon us, now is a great time to review some cold weather pet safety tips.

Cold Weather Pet Dangers and How to Avoid Them

First of all, understand that all pets (even those with a thick coat or a winter undercoat) can get cold if the temperatures are low enough. While long-haired pets do have more insulation against cold weather, they can still become susceptible to hypothermia and other serious health problems if they're left outside for too long. With this in mind, pet owners should always bring pets inside when temperatures drop below freezing. And when pets are outside, they should be closely monitored for signs of frostbite, hypothermia, and the like.

Cold weather doesn't have to prevent you from getting out and walking your dog, but make sure your pup's paws are properly protected from snow and ice! Dog "booties," coats, and sweaters are all great options to keep your dog warm on even frigid walks. If your dog doesn't tolerate wearing booties, keep walks shorter and always wipe down your dog's paws when you return, as your pet may have picked up road salt, antifreeze, or other debris that could be dangerous if ingested.

Finally, now is a good time to make sure your pet has a collar with tags and/or a microchip; this is especially important for breeds of dogs (like Huskies) that have a tendency to wander off in the snow.

Visit Our Reisterstown Veterinary Hospital Team

If your pet hasn't had his or her annual exam with our Reisterstown veterinary team, now is a great time to schedule one! You can reach TLC for Pets Veterinary Hospital by calling (410) 833-1717.