Winter
Holiday Tips
General Winter Safety
The Delta Humane Society & S.P.C.A. would like
you to take the time to read and remind yourself of
the following pet safety concerns and dangers over the
winter season.
Cats and dogs need protection from winter weather both
inside and outside of the home. Cats should stay indoors
during the winter. They are vulnerable to extreme cold,
ice and snow. Dogs should also be kept inside from the
harsh weather and walks on leashes outside as needed.
If you are cold, your pet is cold. Consider buying them
a pet sweater. Both and short-haired and long-haired
dogs are equally susceptible to the cold weather.
Animals who do live outside or stay outside a lot in
the winter they will use more energy to stay warm and
will require more food. Be careful not to over-feed
them so that they gain weight and become over-weight.
Cats may crawl up under your car seeking shelter and
warmth near the engine after parking your car. They
may become caught in the fan belt and suffer serious
injury when someone starts the engine. Cats also like
to climb on top of the tires seeking warmth from the
cars breaking system. Before starting your car slap
the hood and/or honk the horn the scare them away from
the vehicle.
Antifreeze has a sweet taste, and pets think this tastes
good. Antifreeze is however a deadly poison. Keep all
antifreeze secure in safe locations and be aware of
any antifreeze puddle that you and your pet may encounter,
such as those found in parking lots or your garage from
radiator drainage in cars. If you suspect your pet has
consumed antifreeze please seek veterinary assistance
immediately.
Animals may potentially suffer from frostbite and hypothermia.
Frostbite is most commonly seen on paws of your pets.
Symptoms may not appear until a few days after the exposure.
Signs of frostbite are swollen paws and your pet fussing
over the area. If this happens, take your pet to your
veterinarian immediately. Do not apply hot object to
the area as this may cause more damage.
A Brief Overview of Hidden
Holiday Dangers For Your Cat
The Delta Humane Society & S.P.C.A. wishes you
and your pets a happy and safe Holidays. There are some
hidden dangers that one should be aware of in order
to keep their feline friends safe.
The first danger is Mistletoe and its berries. These
can be very harmful if not fatal to your cats. It is
advised to keep this plant out of reach from your cats.
The next danger is Christmas tree lights. Cats like
to play, chew, and bite things. The cords for these
lights can be very tempting to a cat and can cause severe
injury to them and even yourself. Trains are also included.
Another danger is the abundance of food that can be
left out. Cats are just as susceptible to food poisoning
as humans are. Please think twice about where you leave
your turkey to thaw or giving your cat leftover scraps
that have sat out for awhile.
A deadly danger to cats is the Tinsel most people use
around the holidays. Cats like to chew and play with
the tempting shinny strands. When ingested usual surgical
removal is required to prevent death in the animal.
Small ornaments also fit into this category.
Last if you decide to board your feline at a boarding
facility while the family is in town make sure your
cat is current on all vaccinations and has a collar
on with proper identification. This will protect your
cat from disease and if it happens to escape.
Again the Delta Humane Society & S.P.C.A. wishes
you and your pets a happy and safe Holidays.
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