Weather

• Keep cats indoors and shorten exercise walks for dogs when the temperature falls. Safe outdoor temperatures for pets vary by breed and size.
• Never allow your dog to walk on a lake or pond that looks frozen. The appearance of ice can be deceiving and pets can fall through and drown.

Parasite Prevention  

• Continue to use monthly flea, tick and heartworm preventatives. Prevention of parasites is often easier and less expensive than treatment for infestation. 

Motor Vehicles & Antifreeze

• When weather cools, cats like to sleep near a warm car engine, curling up on or under the hood. Caution when starting your car!
• Antifreeze can be lethal to pets. It tastes sweet and contains ethylene glycol, a toxic agent. Clean up any antifreeze if it spills. Contact a veterinarian immediately if you suspect your pet consumed antifreeze.

Diet

• Outdoor pets can burn more calories in the winter. You may need to adjust their calories.
• To prevent dehydration, be sure your pet's water supply doesn't freeze. Use a non-metal water dish to keep your pet's tongue from sticking.
• Chocolate toxicity can be fatal. Keep candy and chocolate away from pets.
• High fat holiday foods or table scraps should not be fed. Maintain a consistent diet of appropriate dog or cat food only. 

Feet

• Rock salt, used to melt snow and ice, can irritate paw pads. Clean pads thoroughly after a trip outside.
• Uneven, icy surfaces can slash dogs' paw pads, so keep your dog on a leash or dress him in canine booties.
• Without hard surfaces to act as a natural file, dogs' toenails grow longer in winter, so regularly clip your pet's nails.

Holidays

• If you have a tree-climbing cat or a large dog, consider anchoring your holiday tree to prevent it from falling over. Make sure edible presents aren't accessible to pets, packages are securely wrapped, and avoid ribbon or raffia.
• Ingested pine needles can make pets ill so don't forget to sweep around the tree.
• Keep all ornaments, yarn, ribbon and garland well out of pets' reach and avoid using tinsel.
• Take care with lit candles and wagging tails!
• Holly, mistletoe, and poinsettia plants are poisonous if consumed. Enjoy their beauty while keeping pets safe by placing them out of reach.
• Puppies and kittens like to chew, so keep electrical cords out of reach.
• When entertaining, inform guests of diet rules for your pet to keep them healthy.  

~Tips courtesy of www.dvm360.com