- Keep your cat inside. Outdoors, cats can freeze or ingest antifreeze or other harmful chemicals.
- Never leave your cat or dog alone in a car during cold weather. If the engine is left on, the carbon monoxide will endanger his/her life. If the engine is off, the temperature in the car will get too cold.
- Thoroughly wipe off your dog’s legs and stomach when he/she comes in from outside. Check your dog’s sensitive paw pads, which may bleed from snow or ice encrusted in them. Also, salt, antifreeze or other chemicals could hurt your dog if he ingests them while licking his/her paws. Clip the fur between the toe pads to reduce the amount of snow that collects.
- Groom your dog regularly. A well-groomed coat will keep him/her properly insulated. For short-haired breeds, dogs sensitive to cold weather (older or sick dogs, puppies, etc.) consider getting a warm coat or sweater and booties. Get a coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck that covers your dog from the base of his/her tail on top to the belly underneath. Remember that dogs lose most of their body heat from the pads of their feet, ears, and respiratory tract.
- If your dog is sensitive to the cold due to age, illness or breed type, take him outdoors only long enough to relieve himself.
- Puppies do not tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs and may be difficult to house train during the winter. If necessary, paper train your puppy inside if he/she seems to be sensitive to cold weather.
- Feed you dog additional calories if he spends a lot of time outdoors. It takes more energy in winter to keep his body temperature regulated.
- Make sure your cat or dog has a warm place to sleep far away from all drafts and off the floor, such as in a bed or basket with a warm blanket or pillow in it.
(City of Calgary, Animal and Bylaw Services)