Winter care tips for your pet

• Keep cats indoors and shorten exercise walks for dogs when the temperature falls.Safe outdoor temperatures for pets vary by breed and size. Ask your veterinarian for a specific recommendation for your pet.

• If your pet must be outside at all, provide adequate shelter.

• Never allow your dog to walk on a lake or pond that looks frozen.

• Antifreeze can be lethal. It tastes sweet to pets and contains ethylene glycol,   toxic agent.  So always clean up any antifreeze if it spills. Contact your veterinarian immediately if you suspect your pet has consumed antifreeze.

• Rock salt, used to melt snow and ice, can irritate paw pads. Clean pads thoroughly after a trip outside.

• Uneven, icy surfaces can slash dogs’ paw pads, so keep your dog on a leash or dress him in canine booties.

• Without hard surfaces to act as a natural file, dogs’ toenails grow longer in winter, so regularly clip your pet’s nails.

 Review these tips to keep pets safe and healthy during the winter.