As winter settles in, here are a few tips to remember to ensure a healthy season. As most pet lovers know, winter can be a challenge for our pets.

Keep an eye on the temperature. When it falls below -10 degrees, it's best to keep your pet indoors. Short-haired dogs, cats and puppies should be kept indoors when the temperature dips below 5 degrees.

Keep your pet's coat well groomed. Matted fur won't properly protect your pet from the cold.

Check your garage and driveway for antifreeze. Antifreeze is highly toxic. This is actually a winter and summer potential problem. Cats and dogs are attracted to the sweet smell and taste of antifreeze, and will often sample some if left out in a container or spilled on the garage floor. A safe alternative to Ethylene Glycol antifreeze is available, it is called propylene glycol.

Use a damp towel to wipe your pet's feet and underside. Ice-melting chemicals can irritate and burn the pads of your pet's feet and can cause serious injury if ingested. Another way to protect your dog's feet is purchase boots for your pet. Keeping the fur on your dogs feet very short helps to keep snow from building up and forming ice balls that are difficult to remove.

Arthritis and winter. Symptoms of pets with arthritis may worsen in the winter months. Cold and damp weather can aggravate joints and muscles causing lameness, trouble getting up and lying down, difficulty going up and down stairs and/or crying out when picked up. It is important to never medicate a pet with a human prescription. If your pet seems painful, make an appointment you’re your veterinarian. NEVER medicate your dog or cat with human prescription or over-the-counter medications without consulting your veterinarian first! One Tylenol™ tablet can be fatal to a cat.

Pets need to have fresh water at all times. Make sure the water is not frozen during this time of year. Pets that live outdoors may need additional food (calories) to sustain body temperature as well. Please check with your veterinarian to decide if your pet needs additional nutritional intake.

Holiday hazards for pets. Other potential problems are:

Food:

·         Alcoholic beverages

·         Chocolate

·         Coffee

·         Moldy or spoiled foods

·         Onions, onion powder

·         Fatty foods

·         Salt

·         Yeast dough

·         Grapes

Plants:

·         Lilies that may be found in holiday flower arrangements could be deadly to your cat.

·         Poinsettias are generally over-rated in toxicity. They may cause mild vomiting or nausea.

·         Mistletoe ingestion usually only causes gastrointestinal upset.

·         Holly ingestion could cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, and lethargy.

Christmas tree:

·         Christmas tree water may contain fertilizers, which, if ingested, can cause stomach upset.

·         Electric cords- Avoid animal exposure to electric cords. If they were chewed, they could electrocute your pet. Cover up or hide electric cords, never let your pet chew on them.

·         Ribbons or tinsel can get caught up in the intestines and cause intestinal obstruction, if swallowed.

·         Batteries contain corrosives. If ingested they can cause ulceration to the mouth, tongue, and the rest of the gastrointestinal tract.

·         Glass ornaments can cut the tissues of the gastrointestinal tract if ingested.