Winter Hazards in the Home

The great outdoors can be invigorating, but also creates a lot of potential hazards for pets. 

Winter pet safety at home is a critical topic. Without a careful approach to items stored or displayed inside the home, pets can be at risk in a place they should feel absolutely safe from harm. With a little bit of attention, you can keep your pets safe all season long.

Conserving Energy

Cold weather is probably the biggest threat to winter pet safety, even in mild climates. If a pet is cold and shivering, or struggling to maintain a comfortable internal temperature, their energy levels get drained quickly. A great way to help with this is to ensure they have plenty of fresh water to drink.

Waterproof jackets, vests, booties, and sweaters help them stay cozy. If they wear clothing inside the house, be sure your pet cannot become overheated or itchy. 

Heaters and Drafts

Pets, especially seniors battling joint stiffness and pain, should have a comfortable, warm place to sleep all winter long. Check for drafts near your pet’s bed, invest in self-warming pads, or provide a heating pad with a low setting and auto shut-off. 

Space heaters come in all shapes and sizes. Propane or kerosene heaters are not safe for use inside homes shared with pets. Heaters that have exposed heating elements, broken parts, or frayed wires can be exceedingly hazardous. Some space heaters can fall over and create fire hazards.

We recommend that pet owners research supplemental heat sources and look for reviews from other pet owners. Also, turn off and unplug heat sources when not in use or when you’re away from the home.

What’s Inside?

Various garden plants can be brought indoors during the winter to extend their growing season or to prevent them from dying. This heat and humidity is a great boon to garden plants, but can create problems for pets.

As a general rule, most gardeners and horticulturists do not want their pet to chew on the leaves of plants. Because pets do not differentiate between toxic and non-toxic plants, they must be prohibited from sampling all plants. This approach should be applied to both winterizing garden plants, houseplants, and cut flowers in vases.

Winter Foods, Decor, and More

Valentine’s Day is right around the corner, and with it comes chocolates, lilies, and other hazards to pet health. Be sure that your pet cannot access the kitchen counter, dining table, or waste bins, and try to keep dangerous items off the floor (including ribbons, bows, sequins, and more). 

A valuable method to restore a sense of calm involves vigorous play or exercise. However, be sure that your pet cannot walk through or taste puddles of antifreeze or sample any rock salt/de-icer. Wash their feet after walks around the neighborhood and add a moisturizing balm to their paw pads to prevent drying out. 

A Safe Indoor Environment

Your pet’s home should be the safest place for them. If you have questions about keeping other potential dangers out of the house, or concerns about your pet’s health and behavior this winter, feel free to reach us at (865) 609‑0311. Our veterinarians and staff members are always happy to help your pet at Volunteer Veterinary Hospital.