There are a lot of items we use in winter that can be harmful to our pets, so we must be mindful and make sure our pets are safe!

Antifreeze and de-icer. These are used to stop cars icing up, have you noticed people spraying their windows and all the ice melts? it disappears like magic! well, this product has an ingredient in it called ETHYLENE GLYCOL, this is very poisonous to animals, but because it has a sweet smell and taste that can make your cat and dog want to lick it, you must clean up any spills and wash your pet’s paws when you come back from a walk.

Grit & Salt. Have you noticed when you go to school in the morning that there are bits of grit and salt on the path and roads? well, while you were sleeping a big truck drove around and sprayed it everywhere. It makes the surface hard, abrasive (rough) and gritty, this helps you NOT to slip and fall. When you take your dog for their daily walk they can get the grit and salt in their paws which can be very sore, it can cause dryness, cracking and even burns to their pads, so you must wash and dry their paws when you get home.

Remember, they do not wear shoes like us, so it would be best if you pay a bit more attention to your pet’s paws during winter, and if you do that then your best fur friend will enjoy their walk, just like you!

Cats will try and find shelter from the cold and wet weather, they usually hide under cars and sometimes they will find a warm spot which is normally the engine or wheel arches and they get snuggled down and fall asleep.

So next time you go out with your family please take the time to check, have a little look at all the wheels and bang on the bonnet of the car, that will surely wake the sleepy cat and then it will hopefully run all the way home.

We all love playing in the snow! snowball fights and sledging and not forgetting building a snowman, that’s the best! Some dogs love the snow, my Dutchess does but her fur is very long and the snow collects around her legs and it makes it difficult for her to walk and becomes very painful. If the ice ball is left on her fur to long it can cause burns to her skin, you can not pull them off as it then pulls her fur and that is very painful, the ice balls have to melt off. I make sure the fur on her legs is trimmed short.

You can buy coats that cover the dog completely and then they will be able to run and jump and slide just like you! that would be great fun for you all.