Pet Safety Tips
Keeping Pets Safe This Winter
Winter can be hazardous for people living in cold-weather regions – and for our four-legged friends. To help keep pets safe this winter, Morton Salt's Safe-T-Pet and the ASPCA® (The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals®) have teamed up to help increase winter pet safety awareness. "Pet owners should know the importance of keeping their furry friends safe during the winter, which is what we hope to raise awareness about by teaming up with Morton for this public service campaign," said Elysia Howard, vice president of marketing and licensing for the ASPCA. Low awareness of household hazards and prevention measures drive too many pet injuries and fatalities each year. Some quick guidelines for winter pet safety include:
Dogs may love to frolic in the snow, but they can easily lose their scent and become lost in all that white. More dogs go missing in the winter than any other season, so keep them on a leash and ensure they are always wearing an ID tag.
Salted sidewalks and streets can be hard on pets' paws. For the safest melting around our four-legged friends, look for melters that are salt AND chloride free. You should also try to avoid ice melt products that are jagged, or irregular in shape, which may cut or get stuck in paw pads. Veterinarian recommended, Morton® Safe-T-Pet® ice melt is a safer choice for pets. Its salt and chloride free formula was developed with Veterinarian assistance to be safer for pets' paws and tummies - but still tough on ice. Safe-T-Pet's claims have been validated by industry experts for performance you can trust. (Key watch outs: Some melters claim to be free of salt, but contain Magnesium Chloride (MgCl) or Potassium Chloride (KCl) which can still act as irritants to pets paws. In addition, some melters may make misleading claims about safety and/or melting performance. When purchasing ice melt, make sure you look for trusted brands with tested claims to ensure you get the performance you paid for.
The sweet taste of antifreeze solution is attractive to pets, but is highly toxic even in the smallest amounts. Be sure to keep all chemicals sealed on a high shelf, away from your furry friends, and clean up spills as soon as they happen.
Just like humans, animals are less active in the winter and don't burn as many calories. Keep your pets healthy by reducing their diet to avoid winter weight gain. Speak with your veterinarian about proper diets during "hibernation" season.
It is important to remember that although your home may be warm, there may still be drafty areas. Make sure your pets have something soft to sleep on (away from drafts) to protect them from the cold floor.
When throwing those much anticipated holiday parties, be sure to keep all chocolate, macadamia nuts, alcohol and even mistletoe and holly berries out of reach. Although seemingly harmless – these can be dangerous if ingested by pets.
Do not leave your dog in a car during the winter months. This enclosed space freezes fast, so if you are running errands be sure to leave your pet at home in the warmth of your home or keep them by your side when out and about.
In addition to selecting a pet-friendly ice melter, be sure to towel off your pet after time outside to remove salt and other irritants from their paws and skin. At the same time, inspect the paw pads for any collection of snow or ice to ward off winter weather problems.
