Protecting Pets from Dangerous Winter Conditions
Guidelines from the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association

Chicago, IL—Dangerously cold and adverse weather conditions return once again to the Chicago metropolitan area with the start of the New Year. The below zero conditions combined with dangerous wind chills pose challenges especially for pet owners. The Chicago Veterinary Medical Association offers the following guidelines for pet owners to keep their pets safe from the cold weather and prevent serious health threats.

Since cold weather may worsen some medical conditions such as arthritis, make certain your pet gets a regular preventative care examination from your veterinarian to detect any potential diseases and other health problems. Because of their nature, it is often very difficult to detect even severe illnesses in cats. Many may appear normal, yet can be developing life threatening illnesses such as heart disease, kidney failure, diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism, and other health problems. For this reason, it is extremely important to have your cat examined by your family veterinarian on a yearly basis to detect any hidden health problems before they become too advanced. This will lead to a greater quality of life and longer life span for your cat as well as decreased veterinary costs for your family.

Catching and treating diseases early is much more effective and less expensive than if the disease is not caught and treated once it has reached more advanced stages. Pets may have a more difficult time regulating their body temperature, and may be more susceptible to problems from extreme temperatures if they have a condition such as diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, or hormonal imbalances. These issues can be addressed and treated before becoming a threat to your pet’s health, happiness, quality of life, and best prepare them for winter.

A proper, balanced diet is important to ensure that your pet is in good health. Speak with your veterinarian about your pet’s nutritional needs during cold weather, because extra weight gained during the winter months has associated long term health risks. While outdoor pets will require more calories in the winter to generate enough body heat and energy to stay warm, pay attention to your pet’s body condition. Make sure they have access to non-frozen fresh water and shelter at all times. In times of subzero temperatures (especially during the Polar Vortex periods) even outdoor pets should be brought inside until the severe cold has passed.

Dogs are often outdoors for walks and exercise with their owners. While longer-haired and thick-coated dog breeds bred for colder climates are more tolerant of cold weather, your pet should never be left outside below-freezing weather for long periods of time.

Cold weather can be as dangerous for your pet, as it is for humans. Dogs can, and do, get frostbite and hypothermia. Short haired dogs can benefit from a doggie coat when walking outdoors. All dogs should become acclimated to the colder weather. If you want to take your dog jogging with you, be sure the dog is properly conditioned. If you have been running regularly, start gradually when you decide to take your dog out for runs with you. Know where there are water hazards. Keep your pet on a leash to avoid falling through broken ice. Avoid those water areas.

Ice, particularly thin ice that cracks under foot, can lead to cut paws. Snow packed between the pads of the feet can lead to frost bite. You will find many good booties available that may help your dog to tolerate the conditions and prevent injury and severe cold.

In general, if it’s too cold for you to be outside comfortably, then the same holds true for your dog. Most dogs can tolerate short periods of exposure to cold, but must be monitored closely. If they are having difficulty walking or breathing, they should be brought inside and warmed. Injuries from exposure to cold are easily prevented.

Salt or ice melting products can be harmful to the feet of dogs. You should thoroughly rinse the paws after returning from a walk outside. Spilled antifreeze should be cleaned immediately; even in very small quantities this can be highly toxic to dogs and cats because of the ethylene glycol. If untreated, ethylene glycol poisoning is always fatal.

Chicago Veterinary Medical Association President Dr. Anthony Coronado recommends, “As a pet owner, it is always important for you to monitor your pet closely. With the cold weather upon us there are additional concerns that every pet owner should know. Cold weather related health problems, among others, include frostbite, severe hypothermia, dehydration from lack of access to unfrozen fresh water, and poisoning from antifreeze and ice melting products. In addition the cold weather can exacerbate existing health problems. If your pet exhibits signs of extreme lethargy, decreased appetite, vomiting, severe diarrhea, trouble walking (as if drunk or much slower than usual), lameness (limping, holding one or more feet up), or sore/lesions on their skin or feet, please take your pet to a veterinarian as soon as possible, in some cases, delay in treatment can result in death of your beloved pet. Frostbite often affects the extremities (ears, tail, paws, and nose) first. Signs include discolored skin (black, gray, blue, or pale to white), blistering or ulcers of the affected area, the skin may be cracked and brittle or leather like, and the skin and surrounding areas may be cold to the touch, painful, reddened, and swollen. Some signs may take days to develop. If you suspect your pet has hypothermia or frostbite, bring him or her inside immediately. Wrap him or her in towels that have been warmed in a dryer or you can warm specific areas of the body with lukewarm water (102-108 degrees NO WARMER). DO NOT use a heating pad or hair dryer to warm the pet. Excess heat can cause additional damage. Do not try to rub or massage the affected areas as this will result in more damage and pain for your pet. Do not give any medications without speaking to a veterinarian first; bring your pet to a veterinarian as soon as possible. By being a diligent owner you can ensure that your pet has the best chance for a safe winter season!”

Make sure you know your family veterinarian’s business hours and days of operation. Additionally, you should also familiarize yourself with what local emergency facilities are near to your home or recommended by your veterinarian for times of after hour illnesses and injuries.

In the event of a lost pet, your pet should have a tag on its collar with your current contact information in order to reunite the pet as quickly as possible with you. If you have not already done so, be sure to get a microchip for your dog or cat from your veterinarian. A rabies tag alone does not help much if your pet is found after office hours at animal control. If your pet does have a microchip, be certain that the contact information on file associated with the microchip is current, including your cell phone number, particularly if you are traveling with your pet.

Taking these action steps now will help to keep your pet safe and healthy, and allow your pet and you to have an enjoyable Happy New Year!

For more information about the Chicago Veterinary Medical Association, please visit www.chicagovma.org.

###

The CVMA is an association of over 1000 veterinarians and 4000 support staff who lovingly assist more than one million Chicago area pets and their families.

The membership of the CVMA is dedicated to the health and well-being of animals through its nurturing of the human animal bond. The CVMA will strive to fulfill the diversified needs of its members by providing nationally recognized CE programs, cultivating membership involvement, and offering innovative member services and exemplary public awareness.

Since 1896, the CVMA has continued a proud tradition of providing its members with vital services and programs which have expanded dramatically over a century to meet the ever-changing needs of the veterinary profession and its diverse patients and clients.