"Winter is actually a pretty good time for animals," says Dr. Jacob Cohen of Chicago's Animal Ark Veterinary Clinic. "They're out less -- which means less injuries and less illness." But there are still serious incidents of cold-weather-related health problems in pets that can and should be avoided, adds Cohen.
1. Space heaters. As with any electronic appliance, take care where you place these in your home. You want to prevent your pet from chewing cords. And either make sure your cat isn't tempted -- or able -- to jump on the heater, your cat or dog can't brush up against it.
2. Temperatures below 45 degrees. "Frostbite is rare, but you really want to watch out for too much exposure to cold," says Cohen. "We start to get concerned below 45 degrees when a pet is in the cold for extended periods of time. Below freezing we have to be even more aware." Your pet's feet, ears, nose and tail are likely to be affected.
3. Leaving pets alone outside, in the car or in the garage. Leaving pets by themselves, even in a vehicle, is "strongly not recommended. Especially if they're not used to cold temperatures," says Cohen.
4. Salty sidewalks and driveways. "It's not toxic, but salt on the ground can irritate your pet's paws," says Cohen.
5. Antifreeze. It is estimated that 90,000 animals die each year from antifreeze poisoning. As little as 1/2 teaspoon can be toxic to a cat and just 1/4 cup can kill a medium-size dog, according to the Oregon Veterinary Medical Association (OVMA).
6. Bodies of water. "If your dog is a swimmer, keep him on a leash around open water or unstable ice," cautions New York State's Office of Emergency Management. "Hypothermia can set in quickly, and the dog may be unable to get out of the water."
7. Going off-leash in the snow. "Canines often lose their scent in cold weather and can become lost," according to the West Lafayette, Ind., animal control.
For the full article on how to prevent these things from happening to your pet visit:
http://www.pawnation.com/2010/12/20/winter-pet-safety-7-risks-to-avoid/