A thick coat does not make every pet cold-proof. Tolerance to cold varies enormously with breed, size, age, coat and health, and winter also brings hazards that are easy to overlook.
Who feels the cold most
- Small dogs and short-coated breeds such as Chihuahuas, Whippets and Greyhounds
- Puppies, kittens and senior pets
- Thin pets and those with arthritis, heart disease, diabetes or kidney disease
- Pets that are wet, which lose heat much faster
Signs your pet is too cold include shivering, lifting paws off the ground, whining, slowing down or looking for somewhere warm to burrow.
Antifreeze: a serious poison
Most car antifreeze contains ethylene glycol, which tastes sweet and is extremely toxic to dogs and cats. A small amount, sometimes just a few licks, can cause fatal kidney failure. Treatment works only if it starts within hours, often before serious signs appear.
- Clean up spills immediately and store containers tightly closed and out of reach.
- Consider antifreeze made with propylene glycol, which is much less toxic.
- If you think your pet has licked antifreeze, go to a veterinarian at once. Early signs can look like drunkenness: wobbling, vomiting and increased thirst.
Paws, salt and ice
- De-icing salt can crack and burn paw pads and cause stomach upset if licked off. Wipe your pet’s paws with a damp cloth after walks.
- Ice balls can form between the toes of long-haired dogs. Trimming the fur between the pads helps.
- Booties or paw balm protect paws on salted or icy streets.
- Frozen ponds and lakes can be deadly. Keep dogs on a leash near ice.
Check before you start the car
Outdoor and community cats sometimes crawl into car engine compartments for warmth. Before starting your car on a cold day, knock on the hood or honk the horn and give any animal a chance to escape.
Keep indoor life comfortable
- Provide a warm, draft-free bed raised off cold floors.
- Use pet-safe heaters and keep pets away from open flames and space heaters, which can cause burns or tip over.
- Shorter, more frequent walks are better than one long outing for pets that feel the cold.
- Pets that spend more energy staying warm may need a little more food, while less active pets may need less. Watch their body condition.
Signs of hypothermia and frostbite
Hypothermia starts with strong shivering and progresses to weakness, slow breathing, lethargy and a lack of shivering as body temperature falls further. Frostbite affects ears, tails and toes, which may look pale or grey and later red and swollen.
If you suspect either, move your pet somewhere warm, wrap it in dry blankets (warmed in a dryer if possible) and contact a veterinarian. Do not rub frostbitten areas or apply direct heat such as a hot water bottle or hair dryer on high, which can cause burns.
Holiday hazards
Winter holidays bring chocolate, xylitol-sweetened treats, fatty leftovers, tinsel and ribbons (dangerous if swallowed, especially by cats), lilies in bouquets (fatal to cats) and electrical cords. See our food safety guide and plant safety guide for details.
This guide is general information and not a substitute for veterinary advice.