CHARLOTTE – Though our North Carolina weather tends to keep us guessing, winter is officially here and colder temps have set in (on most days!). Check out our tips below for keeping your four-legged family members safe and warm this season!

Be aware of the windchill: Exposed skin on noses, ears and paw pads put pets at risk for frostbite and hypothermia in extreme cold weather. If you can keep your fur babies mostly inside during winter, that’s ideal. If you have a dog, consider taking shorter and more frequent walks and/or bundling short-haired breeds up with a jacket or sweater. Keep “winter” chemicals & products locked away: Antifreeze is deadly, but it has a sweet taste that may attract animals (and children). If any spills, wipe it up immediately and keep it, like all household chemicals, out of reach.

Which leads us into our next tip…wipe down paws after walks: With slippery conditions possible, rock salt and other de-icing chemicals are often used on roads and sidewalks. These can irritate the pads of your pet’s feet. Wipe all paws with a damp towel before your pet licks them, as this can irritate their mouth and even be poisonous. If your dog ingests rock salt, call a veterinarian immediately. There is a non-toxic ice melter from Safe Paw that is environmentally safe and will not harm pets. If you need something at home for melting ice and snow, we recommend skipping out on the regular rock salt and spreading some Safe Paw (or something similar) instead. Stay safe, healthy, and warm!