Pet winter safety tips

The American Pet Products Manufacturers Association offers these tips for keeping your pet safe in winter.

A warm sweater for those cold winter walks will help keep your pet comfortable, especially if they have short hair.
Keep your older pet's bed raised and away from drafts.
Your pet may look for a warm resting-place, so keep a fire screen around fireplaces or wood-burning stoves.
Consider a self-warming water dish. Your pet's tongue could stick to a frozen metal dish and the water can easily freeze over.
Be careful using space heaters. Your pet may chew the cord, burn itself on the heater, or knock it over and cause a fire. Heated pet beds are safer.
Take the normal precautions against frostbite with your pets. Watch for cracked pads or tiny cuts in the feet.
Chemicals used to melt snow on driveways and walkways can burn your pet, so check the paws, mouth and belly after a walk. Pet safe de-icers and paw protectors are available.
Be sure your outdoor pet has a house that is dry and elevated. It should contain clean, dry bedding, face away from the wind, and have a flap over the opening to prevent drafts.
Adjust your pet's diet to the cold weather. An outdoor animal needs more calories to produce body heat while an indoor animal gets less exercise during winter months.
Be sure to provide an indoor spot for them when the temperature reaches 30 degrees with wind-chill. Dogs and cats can very easily get frostbitten noses, ears, and feet.
Be careful with the antifreeze-it's deadly in even small amounts. This toxic poison has a sweet taste that is appealing to dogs and cats alike. Clean up spills immediately and store chemicals away from pets.

For more information, see pet health care information.

About The Author:

Rick Towers is a successful author and regular contributor to http://www.1st-in-pets.com. Pamper your pet and get up to date information on pet health, food, accessories, behavior, gifts and toys.