Helpful Pet Tips
Winter Safety
We aren’t the only species that can be affected by the cold and freezing bursts of wintry air. Here are some tips that will help keep your animals safe during the cold months.
Antifreeze
Pet are really attracted to antifreeze because of its sweet taste. Unfortunately antifreeze is very
poisonous to animals if it is ingested. If your pet happens to consume any amount of antifreeze, call your veterinarian immediately.
Temperature
When the temperature falls under 20°F, your pet should stay indoors. Short-haired dogs and puppies should stay indoors when the temperature hits anywhere below 40° F. If your pet is outside make sure they have fresh water. Without water animals can’t burn calories and if they don’t burn calories, they will get cold.
Exercise
If your pet spends most of it’s time indoors, it probably isn’t getting enough exercise and may need less food. However, if your pet is outdoors, it will need more food so it can burn more calories and keep itself warm.
Shelter
If your pet absolutely has to stay outside, it should have shelter that is large enough for it to lie down in but small enough to trap its body heat. The floor of the shelter should be raised a few inches off the ground and covered with heat retaining material, such as cedar shavings or straw.
Holiday Tips
Poisonous Plants: Many popular holiday plants are poisonous to animals including mistletoe, poinsettia, holly, ornamental pepper and Christmas rose. 
Remember to keep these plants out of reach of pets — especially birds.
Avoid Tinsel: If you have a Christmas tree and pets, you have a recipe for trouble. First, make sure the tree is well secured. Try to place decorations above paw height and use string to hang the bulbs instead of hooks. If possible, use non-breakable ornaments. Avoid using tinsel or angel hair, cats and dogs can ingest both, which can cause intestinal problems.
Cords for lights should be made inaccessible to pets—especially from chewing puppies and exploring kittens. Keep in mind that the chemicals added to the water reservoir of your Christmas tree to keep your tree living longer won’t do the same for your pet. The chemicals are toxic to animals, so keep the reservoir covered.
