Keeping Your Pets Safe During The Winter With Pet Insurance

As the cold weather begins to approach, there are many precautions we need to take as pet owners. Just like humans, the winter is the ideal time for becoming sick. Be prepared to take your pet to the vet for routine checkups. Start this winter season off right by purchasing pet insurance. If your pet does get sick, pet health insurance can drastically reduce your vet bills.

-Keep pets away from antifreeze. You'll probably have this solution handy to make sure your car is working properly in the cold. However, antifreeze actually has a sweet smell to animals and it can be deadly if ingested. Clean up any spills right away and keep it away from your pets. If you suspect your pet has ingested some, take him to the vet immediately. Do not wait for symptoms to appear!

-Don't let your pets outside for long periods of time. They need time to adjust to the temperature change and build up a thicker winter coat. Even if your pet enjoys a nice frolic in the snow, you don't want to leave him outside for too long when the temperature is below freezing. Young, old, and sick pets should always remain indoors.

-Smalls dogs and dogs with short hair should wear some type of coat or sweater when outside. All dogs should wear boots, as silly as they may look. If you notice your dog constantly lifts up his paws or whines a lot during the walk, he's telling you his feet are cold! The boots should fit snugly but not too tight which can cut off the circulation and make the paws more susceptible to frostbite.

-If your dog walks on salted streets, gently clean off the salt after the walk. Salt can be very irritating to their footpads. Dogs with long fur can also develop ice balls between their pads when walking in the snow. To prevent this, trim the hair around their feet and place a small amount of cooking oil on his feet. Oil will stop the ice from sticking to his paws.

-Even if you own an outdoor cat, try to keep him inside most of the time during the winter. Your cat will prefer the warmth of your house anyway. Never let him out when it is bitterly cold. Cats will seek warm shelter and will often climb into car engines.

-Because your pets will be spending more time in the comfort of their home, they will be less active than normal. You should reduce their amount of food so they don't turn into pleasantly plump dogs and cats. Check with your veterinarian first before reducing their portions. An affordable pet insurance plan will help reduce the costs of these extra visits.

-The holidays bring a lot of festivities and decor along with it. Keep your pets away from dangerous holiday decorations, winter plants, and all that extra human food lying around, such as chocolate.

Prepare your pet for the chilly months ahead to keep him safe, happy, and most importantly warm.