Keep pets indoors. The ASPCA warns that pets left outside might freeze, become disoriented, lost, stolen, wounded, or killed.
Bring your pets inside during cold weather
Pet paws might be irritated by salt and other snow and ice melt chemical. Before they lick and irritate their mouths, wipe their paws with a moist towel.
Protect their paws
Keep your home humidified and towel dry your pet when they come inside to avoid itchy, flaky skin, according to the ASPCA. Note paws and in-between toes. Snow between foot pads must go.
Take care of their coat and skin
Spills should be cleaned up, and antifreeze should be kept out of reach.
Antifreeze is a deadly poison
You should know how your pet handles cold weather and adjust as needed, according to the AVMA. Ask your vet for advice.
Know your pet’s limits outdoors
Wild cats may find a warm car engine enticing, but it's fatal. Check beneath your car, beat on the hood, and honk the horn before starting the engine to make sure no cats are hiding there.
Check your engine
Your pet could be burned by the heater, or it could be toppled over, which could lead to a fire in your home.
Use space heaters with caution
Because of hypothermia, your pet may whine, shiver, be worried, slower than usual, stop moving, seem feeble, or start exploring for warm places to burrow.
Watch for hypothermia
Power outages and blizzards are winter phenomena. Pack an emergency kit for your pet. For at least five days, have ample food, water, and medicine (including prescriptions, heartworm, and flea/tick preventives).
Be prepared
Steer clear of frozen lakes, ponds, and other bodies of water. It's uncertain whether the ice can sustain your pet's weight, and a pet falling through the ice could die.