Winter Pet Safety: How to Keep Your Dog and Cat Healthy All Season

Winter in North Vancouver brings cold winds, icy sidewalks, and unpredictable weather patterns. While we bundle up easily, our pets can face several health challenges during the colder months. At Lonsdale Place Veterinary Clinic, we want to help you keep your furry companions safe, warm, and comfortable all winter long.

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Cold Weather Risks: Recognizing When Your Pet Is Too Cold

Pets can develop hypothermia or frostbite much faster than most owners realize. Dogs with short coats, senior pets, kittens, small breeds, and pets with endocrine disorders (like hypothyroidism) are especially vulnerable.

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Warning signs to watch for:

• Shivering or trembling

• Tucked tail and hunched posture

• Slowing down on walks

• Pale, cool ears, tail, or paw pads

• Reluctance to go outdoors

If you notice these signs, bring your pet inside immediately and warm them gradually — never with heating pads or hot water bottles, which can burn sensitive skin.

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Paw Care: Protecting Against Salt, Ice, and Abrasions

Sidewalk salt and de-icers used around the North Shore can irritate or chemically burn paw pads. Ice can also cause painful cracks or cuts.

To protect paws:

• Use pet-safe de-icing products on your property.

• Consider paw balm before walks to act as a protective barrier.

• Rinse and dry paws after returning home — this prevents ingestion of salt when pets lick their feet.

• Trim fur between toes to reduce ice ball formation.

If your pet begins limping suddenly in winter, paw irritation is a common cause. A quick exam at our clinic can rule out deeper cuts or infection.

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Winter Grooming: Don’t Skip Baths and Brushing

Many owners reduce grooming in winter, but maintaining your pet’s coat is essential:

• Matted fur traps moisture and makes pets colder, not warmer.

• Dry indoor air increases dandruff and itchy skin.

• Undercoat-heavy breeds (e.g., Huskies, Shepherds) benefit from regular brushing to prevent impacted undercoat buildup.

If your pet seems itchy or their coat quality changes, our veterinarians can help determine if it’s from winter dryness, allergies, or an underlying medical condition.

Nutritional Needs May Change in Winter

Some pets burn more calories to stay warm, while others become less active and may gain weight.

We may recommend:

• Increasing calories for thin or outdoor-working dogs

• Adjusting diet for less active indoor pets

• Adding omega-3s to support skin and joint health

A winter weight check at Lonsdale Place Veterinary Clinic can ensure your pet stays at a healthy, ideal body condition.

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Visibility and Safety on Dark Winter Walks

With shorter days, many walks happen at dawn or dusk. To keep your dog safe:

• Use high-visibility collars, harnesses, or leashes

• Add clip-on LED lights

• Choose reflective outerwear for both you and your dog

This is especially important near busy North Vancouver intersections or bike paths.

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When to Seek Veterinary Care

Call us if your pet shows:

• Persistent paw swelling or bleeding

• Non-healing cracks or sores

• Shivering that doesn’t resolve indoors

• Reduced appetite or energy

• Difficulty getting up (common in colder weather for senior pets)

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At Lonsdale Place Veterinary Clinic, we’re here to support your pet’s winter wellness. Book a winter check-up today to make sure your pet is ready for the season.