Let it snow, let it snow, let it snow! As of this writing, it looks like our area will be visited by our first Nor’easter of the winter season, with many inches of snow possible. If your dog is anything like my dog Clover, fresh snow is a winter wonderland of awesome-ness! And yes, playing with your furry friend out in the winter weather can be a blast, but it’s also important to keep your pet safe. Dr. Amber Karwacki, Partner Doctor at Heart + Paw Callowhill gave us a few tips to remember when it comes to snow and your pets:
Ice – Just like for us humans, ice is dangerous for dogs. Slips and falls can happen and result in broken bones, injured paws, chipped teeth and ligament damage. Best practice is if it is icy – stay inside. Nobody wins if you both get hurt when you get pulled on the ice and fall.
Salts – Calcium salts are the most hazardous of all ice melts. Ingestion can cause major gastrointestinal distress, and they are most likely to cause external irritation on skin and paws. If your pet has ingested these salts, it is important to contact your veterinarian. Cleaning off your dog’s paws with soap and water or a dog friendly wipe can help prevent damage as well.
Wind Chill – You should also factor in wind chill and other weather conditions such as rain, sleet, or snow that can make the great outdoors even more chilly for dogs. When dogs are cold, they may shiver, have a hunched posture, and lift or hold their paws off the ground.
There isn’t anything much cuter than dogs playing in the snow so here are 8 videos of pets playing in the snow for inspiration for when the snow hits this weekend:
