By Lisa Parent

Winter pet safety: How owners can keep paws warm and spirits high

Jan 12, 2024 | 3:01 PM

Daily walks are key to a healthy and happy dog, acting as stimulation for the mind and body.

However, during an extreme cold warning, owners have to look for creative ways to burn their pets’ energy.

Adam Jones is the owner of All Dogs Great and Small, Dog Daycare.

“Anytime that temperature kind of gets below -20°C, we fill up pretty quickly.”

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As a place for dogs to play, sniff and run around during the cold weather, they’ve hit their capacity most of the week.

“They get to socialize, they get to have fun, they get to meet their needs,” said Jones.

Quinn Schotanus, a registered veterinary technologist says there are ways to prepare your dog for cold weather, like suiting them up in boots and a jacket.

However, there are moments when walks should be omitted.

“Once it starts to drop below -20°C, that’s when we say ‘don’t worry about taking them for walks, everybody should stay indoors.” Schotanus told CHAT News.

Cats are especially susceptible to cold weather and frostbite. Horizon Veterinary Services see a couple cases of it every winter.

“At least with dogs, there’s a variance in size and the amount of fur that they have,” Schotanus explained.

“A cat is a cat, they’re all the same level of unprotected outside. When it starts getting very cold, it affects cats a lot harder because of how small they are.”

Similar to the summer months, leaving any pet alone in the car is dangerous.

“It’s essentially similar to putting your dog in a fridge,” Schotanus said.

“You might even reach below freezing temperatures in that car and if they’re in there for long enough, that’s when you’ll start to see potential hypothermia.”

Whether you choose to take your pet to a daycare or find solutions at home, Jones say finding some way to stimulate your pet’s brain is essential.

“You can work on things like sit stays, things like that in the house where dogs are focusing more on the mental exercises, rather than necessarily just the physical side of things,” explained Jones.

Schotanus recommends using lick mats, puzzles, or wrapping treats in a towel for effective and simple brain stimulation for pets.

With a little bit of creativity and effort, pets can get through the winter months safely and happily.