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Watch out for puddles of water or melting snow in the street or sidewalk that might have anti-freeze (ethylene glycol) in them. Anti-freeze is attractive to dogs and cats because of its sweet taste. If ingested, anti-freeze is often lethal, even in very small quantities. One-half teaspoon of anti-freeze per pound of the dog's body weight is enough to cause the clinical signs of poisoning. The toxin is rapidly absorbed and symptoms can begin within an hour of exposure. If your pet ingests even a small amount of anti-freeze, call your veterinarian immediately.
If you will be in areas where there is snow, beware of ice-melting chemicals and rock salt. These compounds, which are used on driveways, sidewalks and roads, can cause severe burns on your dog's footpads. If your dog is exposed to these chemicals, don't let your dog lick his feet. Wash and dry your dog's paws after walking outdoors to remove the chemicals. Dry cracked pads can be healed with dabs of petroleum jelly which will help prevent further cracking.
Snowballs are fun unless they're between your toes. Snow collecting between the toes of dogs can be very painful. Keep the hair between your dog's toes and pads clipped and short, even on the bottom of the foot. When hair is too long, snow sticks to it, forming ice balls that are uncomfortable and hard to remove. Long hair between the pads reduces traction, making it easier for your dog to slip on the ice. Nails that are too long also reduce traction. Dog boots would help eliminate this problem in dogs.
Be careful of what type of collar your dog wears. Dogs wearing metal choke collars that are left outdoors in cold climates, have suffered from burns where the frozen metal has damaged their skin. The steel attracts the cold and burns the skin black. A leather or nylon flat buckle collar is much safer for dogs that live outdoors in any climate.
As with most pet care, prevention and common sense go a long way. No pet should be left outside for an unlimited period of time in extreme weather. Check on your pet regularly while he is outside to make sure he is doing well.
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