Winter Safety Tips

Hello Crossroads Critters and Companions!

With winter well underway, it is a good time to think about winter safety. I grew up pretty far south of Minnesota, so I’m used to much warmer winters. This is my least favorite time of year! I do my best to live bundled in blankets. Sometimes I get lucky, and my human shares a bit of a heating pad with me (always on low, covered, and supervised).

One thing I’ve discovered is that I try to go to the bathroom as seldom as possible, and I try to hold it all day if I can. On those rare occasions when I do go outside, I’m usually shivering before I get to the door. On the really cold days, I can usually only make it a few steps before it’s too much for my toes and I can barely walk anymore. It doesn’t work well, but I lift my paws to try to keep them from touching the snow until I get scooped up and carried into the house.

I know I have a very low tolerance for the cold, but here are a few tips to keep your furry friends safe in cold weather.

Until next time, stay warm and cozy!

🐶Gryla

Winter Safety Tips

When choosing products to melt snow and ice, choose pet-safe products. Be careful what you use and where you use it.

When returning from walks, wipe your pet’s feet and belly. You want to make sure you’ve cleaned off any salt or chemicals so they don’t lick it off later.

Before going on a walk, you might want to consider applying a specialized balm or ointment to your pet’s paw pads to help protect them from the cold and ice.

Keep in mind how much time your pet is spending outside. Walks may need to be shortened. All pets are susceptible to the cold and should be out for brief amounts of time.

Check your vehicle. Bang on the hood and make some extra noise. Critters, especially cats, will try to hide in wheel wells or any confined space to get away from the cold.

Stock up on new toys and indoor activities. Sometimes, it’s just too cold to play outside. Be prepared to spend more time indoors. Find toys or activities your pet can enjoy while they are inside. They will still need to stay active.