While unexpected illnesses and injuries can happen at any time during the year, some are more prevalent seasonally. Keep reading to learn about a few potential pet problems to be mindful of this winter!

Bundle up this winter
Leave your dog’s fur longer during the winter to keep them warm. If you have a puppy, kitten, or a shorthair-breed pet, consider purchasing a coat or sweater to cover their back and underside — fleece is a great option!

Protect those paws!
The cold snow and ice can be a pain in the paw. Make sure to wash and completely dry your pet’s paws after time outside (especially if they came in contact with any salt or chemical de-icer). Look out for snow and encrusted ice that can cause cracked, bleeding paws. If you notice any bleeding, call your veterinarian. Petroleum jelly is a safe way to protect those paws—you can also look into dog boots.

Winter diet
In the cold winter, your pet will burn more calories to keep warm. If your pet exercises outdoors a lot, think about increasing their food intake by a little bit. You should be able to feel, but not see, your pet’s ribs. However, if you and your pet are spending more time curled up by a warm fire and are only playing indoor games of fetch, they may require less food than usual.

Troublesome toxins
Keeping walkways walkable and driveways drivable in the winter often requires the use of salt or chemical de-icers which are
poisonous to pets. Try to avoid contact with de-icers when with your pet, and wipe them down with a wet towel then completely dry them off after outside play to remove any chemicals they could’ve come in contact with. Remember, if you’re putting antifreeze in your car, use a pet-friendly or propylene glycol option.

Baby, it’s cold outside
While many pets have fur to protect them from the cold, dogs and cats need plenty of time to acclimate to the colder weather. Keep your pets indoors as much as possible, especially cats and small, sick, or short-haired dogs. Winter is a great time to look into indoor training or obedience classes, like agility and flyball, so your dog can get plenty of mental and physical exercise.

Catnaps and cars
In the cold winter, outdoor cats in the area may find the engine block under the warm hood of your car to be a great spot to snooze. Before you start your car in the morning, bang on your hood a little to wake up any sleeping cats.

Car safety
Just like when it’s hot out, don’t leave your pet in your car when it’s particularly cold out. Your car can act like a refrigerator as it holds in the cold. When in doubt, leave your pet at home when you know you’ll have to leave them unattended in the car.

Fitness and exercise
If it’s not too cold out for you, your dog can get some aerobic exercise outside that will also keep them warm. Walking in wooded areas is a good way to protect them from chilly wind gusts. If it’s too cold, entice them to exercise indoors with tug-of-war, fetch, or a playdate with another pet-friend.

Winter skin solutions
Dogs get dry, flaky skin in the winter just like humans do. Use a humidifier and provide plenty of drinking water in your home — your pet’s skin will thank you. Bathe your pet less frequently and make sure to completely dry them after baths. Brushing their coat stimulates blood circulation and can help improve the overall condition of their skin