Dr. Kevin Fitzgerald

            By knocking on the hood or tooting on the horn, you’ll hopefully wake up a feline catnapper. “It really isn’t an urban myth, cats get mangled, even killed – we do see it,” Fitzgerald,says.

            Working as an ER vet and in Denver, CO; Fitzgerald knows a thing or two about winter time safety. He points out that as the temperatures sink, people warm up their cars in the garage. “It’s ridiculous,” he says. “We really forget about the dog or cat going into the garage – and the door is closed.  A 10 lb. cat kept in a sealed garage for ten minutes with a car running will die of carbon monoxide poisoning. Again, this is no urban myth. I see this all the time, almost every week (in the winter). “

Fitzgerald adds, “Sometimes, we act pretty strangely macho wanting to make our pets into Nanook of the North. That’s not right - some dogs actually need a coat to keep warm.”

            Maintaining body temperatures is a particular problem for toy dogs, agrees Framingham, MA-based canine behavior consultant Darlene Arden, author of “Small Dogs, Big Hearts: A Guide to Caring For Your Little Dog”(Howell Book House, New York, NY, 2006; $25.99). “If it’s below freezing and your dog is under around 20 lbs. or just doesn’t have much hair, a sweater or coat is really necessary.”

            Greyhounds, Salukis and Weimaraners are included among the larger breeds requiring clothing in sub-zero weather. Margaret Bonhan, author of “Dog Grooming for dummies (Wiley Publishing, New York, NY, 2006; $19.99) also races sled dogs, “Listen if a dog is physically active and is acclimated to outdoors, especially if it’s a Northern breed (such as a Siberian Husky, Malamute or Samoyed) – being outside in the cold is far more comfortable than being outdoors on a hot summer day. But many dogs aren’t outdoors enough to really become acclimated.”

            Even those big Arctic breeds who are frequently outdoors require unfrozen drinking water (you can buy water bowls with heaters to prevent freezing) and shelter from the wind and drifting snow. “It’s amazing how often we treat dehydrated pets in the middle of winter,” says Fitzgerald. “That’s because they can’t find water to drink. Or maybe what they find to drink is worse.”

Fitzgerald is referring to anti freeze, a tempting sweet molasses to dogs. Less than a quarter cup of antifreeze can kill a Great Dane, and only a tablespoon’s worth can end the life of a small dog or a cat. Look for so-called ‘pet friendly’ brands, which are hardly a healthy treat – but at least won’t kill. Even better are brands with bittering agents; they taste so bad pets won’t lap them up.

Of course, life is safer and far more comfortable indoors for cats. Outdoors in the cold, cats can get frostbite. So can dogs. Most susceptible are ear and tail tips. Paw pads can become frostbitten too, especially when those little ice balls are imbedded. Bonham suggests grooming hair between the dog’s pads which can deter the ice balls from forming. 

Bonham, who lives in the mountains just outside Denver, points out that even athletic, macho sled dogs wear booties. Well, they don’t have to be stylish (Bonham’s favorite booties are colored screaming peach). What’s important is that they’re easy for you to slip on and off, which is why often times Velcro is used to fasten them. Be sure the booties aren’t on too tight, or so loose that you continually loose them.

Other options to prevent the ice balls and deter street salt from sticking to the pads, are to spray (unflavored) Pam (no-stick cooking spray) on your dog’s paws or use a product called Musher’s Secret (available online and at many pet stores). Wipe the dog’s paws with a towel before coming indoors to protect your carpet and also to remove any remaining street salt residue.

While many dogs love bounding in the snow, Bonham says it’s an easy way to pull a muscle. “They’re working so hard to walk through large drifts – it’s fine they’re having a good time, just make sure they don’t overdo it.”

“With all the large piles of snow around, it’s difficult for dogs who otherwise might stay out of the street to know where the street stops and starts,” points out Dr. Sheldon Rubin of Chicago, IL. “It might also be difficult to determine where a retention pond or lake begins. Also, be sure the ice is thick enough to withstand the dog’s weight. Dogs who fall through the ice can die of hypothermia.”

Bonham adds, “I love the winter, and my dogs do too – still it’s my job to insure their safety.”