There are dangers all around for pets at every time of year, just like there are for you and me and it's why they need us to help look after them. In the winter there are a few extra hazards that can pose a risk to your pet's health and safety and I'm going to list some of the bigger ones here below, what to look out for and how best to avoid them. 1. Antifreeze
As the cold weather settles in and frost and ice begin to make life a little more challenging for people heading to work in the morning, Antifreeze begins to make a common appearance as people use it to quickly defrost their cars. However, Antifreeze is extremely toxic to animals with the added unfortunate side effect of being somewhat alluring as it has a sweet taste to it which is too tempting for dogs and cats. A small amount licked from the ground or even off their fur should they have stepped in some and cleaned themselves can have very serious consequences such as severe Kidney damage and death. It is essential to get immediate veterinary intervention if you suspect your pet has ingested any amount of antifreeze (within the first few hours has the best prognosis). Symptoms can come on rapidly (within 30 mins) or over some time, but you will notice some signs of poisoning within the first 12 hours such as; stumbling, muscle twitches or tremors, vomiting, increased thirst, increased urination and perhaps struggling to get up from lying down/sitting positions. As the intoxication advances your dog or cat may appear normal over the next 24 hours, however as the toxic agent is absorbed into the body, the damage is being done inside and there would be an increase in breathing rate and heart rate. In the most advanced stages, you would see symptoms such as acute kidney and liver problems from blood results, but outwardly seizures, coma, and death are all possible.
Possible sources of Antifreeze (ethylene glycol): antifreeze, windshield deicing agents, brake fluid, motor oil, photography developing solutions, wood stains, solvents, inks/printer cartridges, eye masks, snow globes, and winterized toilet bowls.
2. Cats Seeking Warmth
When the temperatures drop, cats who spend a lot of time outdoors particularly are savvy at finding places to shelter to keep out of the elements. Cars make a canny spot as they are large and low to the ground which is an ideal place to shelter in safety, sometimes cats will also climb up underneath the bonnet of your car seeking extra warmth from the engine. During cold spells and throughout winter it is highly recommended to always check underneath your car before driving off to ensure no stowaways or risk of injury by running one over. A few extra moments to check could be the difference between life and death for the cats.
3. Winter/Festive Plants
Over the festive period and throughout winter it isn't uncommon to decorate homes with beautiful festive plants or be given such as gifts from visitors, however, some of the most common seasonal plants are extremely poisonous to our pets if ingested such as; Poisetta, Holly, Mistletoe, Laurel, Yew and Pine. Any ingestion of any of these plants should prompt an immediate visit to your veterinarian for treatment.
Symptoms can include; drooling, vomiting, tremors, seizures, diarrhea, lethargy, skin & gut irritation, low blood pressure, altered heart rate, and can be life threatening. Ensuring plants such as these are safely kept in rooms where pets have restricted access or avoiding having these plants in the home altogether is the safest way to avoid poisoning cases. There are many alternative artificial decorations and with careful research real plants and foliage could be used. 4. Weather Danger
This might seem an obvious one at first glance, but winter weather can be variable depending on your geographical location. If you live in an area where extreme weather conditions are more common in winter months, there are a few hazards you might not consider for your pets. Small dogs, elderly pets, and those with long-term health conditions can struggle a lot more when the temperature drops. Paws, noses, tails, and ears all lose heat very quickly as their bodies preserve all the heat for the core where all the vital organs are, this means when temperatures drop very low they can be at risk of frostbite. Short walks are recommended and there is a wide range of clothing and accessories available to buy that can help protect your pet from the elements; dog coats, jumpers, scarves, booties, and even ear protection. Keeping your pets from hypothermia by wrapping them up for longer walks or reducing walk times whilst the weather is very cold is ideal to ensure optimal safety.
In some parts of the world, like the UK, where we rarely see extreme cold, but we do get cold enough for rivers, ponds, and lochs to freeze over, but the ice is often too thin to walk on and pets may not be aware of the potential dangers of breaking ice in deep water which can lead to hypothermia, shock, drowning, coma, and death in extreme cases. Keeping your pets indoors or on a lead near frozen water is highly recommended to avoid unnecessary accidents. We do often get a lot of storms and rain here, however, which can lead to high winds and flooding. Flash flooding can be dangerous when walking pets, so in those conditions, plan your route carefully, check the weather, and avoid obvious flooding areas like Rivers where a burst bank could sweep your pet into fast-flowing water. NEVER enter deep and/or fast-flowing water to retrieve a pet, always call emergency services and seek help. During these storms high, gale-force winds are not uncommon and this can lead to flying debris, walls, and roof tiles falling as well as uprooting trees or electricity poles. All of these can pose serious dangers to you and your pet and should be avoided walking or letting your pets out in these conditions to avoid serious injury or worse.
5. Festive Food
During the holidays we all love to indulge in treats and fine foods, however, a fair amount of these are toxic to our pets and should be kept out of reach, in cupboards where possible and if you have a spread on the table, encourage your pets to rest elsewhere to avoid dangers. Any food gifts are best kept away from being placed under the treat and if you're unsure as it's a gift from someone else, best to keep it up high out of the way as a precaution. So there are a few obvious offenders on the list that most people are probably aware of;
Chocolate
Dried Fruit eg raisins, sultanas, etc Christmas Cake
Mince Pies
Stollen
There are however some others that can cause just as much damage such as;
Alcohol
Macadamia Nuts
Sage & Onion Stuffing (onions leeks, shallots, chives)
Blue Cheese
Cooked bones (not toxic but can cause internal damage to stomach & bowel)
Sweets (anything containing Xylotol - candy canes, gummies, etc)
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