Tips on winterizing your pet | Pets

The Aurora Animal Care Division and Shelter advises these tips for your pets in winter. If you are aware of a neglected or abused animal in your neighborhood, call the Aurora Animal Care Division at 303-326-8288 immediately.

Outdoor Shelter

• A shelter should be free from drafts and waterproofed against melting snow and ice
• Elevated an inch or two off the ground by placing it on a wooded pallet will make it warmer
• Placed dry bedding, such as straw or a blanket inside
• The shelter should face away from the wind with flap of cloth covering the entrance
• The shelter must be the right size for the size of the animal, not too big or too small
• A shelter should be large enough for the animal to stand up and easily turn around

Food and Water

• Always have a source of clean, unfrozen water available
• Eating snow or ice will not provide sufficient moisture to prevent dehydration in your pet
• Outdoor pets require more food each day to build up fat reserve for staying warmer

Grooming

• Continue to groom your pet in the winter
• A matted coat will not provide the proper insulation against the cold
• Indoor pets may not have a grown a thick coat for winter and may require a pet sweater before going outside 

Frostbite

• Pets can get frostbite as easily as a human
• Frostbitten areas may appear red, gray or white
• Particularly susceptible are the pads on feet, ears and nose
• Thaw those areas out slowly with a warm, damp cloth and do not rub the frozen areas
• Take your pet your veterinarian as soon as possible
• Check the animal's foot pads to ensure there is no frozen snow or ice in the pads of their feet or cuts on the pads

Chemicals

• Salt or chemicals used to melt snow may make your pet ill or fatal if ingested when your pet licks its paws
• The sweet taste and smell of antifreeze makes it a DEADLY poisonous treat to animals
• Use non-toxic antifreeze and be sure all spills are cleaned up quickly and thoroughly
• Contact the poison control center or your vet if you suspect any anti-freeze has been ingested

Vehicles

Cats often escape the cold by crawling into vehicle engines, where they can be killed or seriously injured when it is started. Before entering your vehicle, bang on the hood to startle any animal sleeping there.

PRESS RELEASE