---
title: How to Keep Your Pets Safe During Snowstorms
description: Animals, especially those we keep outdoors, are exposed to great risks when a snowstorm arrives. If possible, the animal owners should bring them inside or
---

[Blog ](https://puroclean.ca/blog)

# [How to Keep Your Pets Safe During Snowstorms](https://puroclean.ca/blog/how-keep-your-pets-safe-during-snowstorms)

 Written by [purocleaneditorial](https://puroclean.ca/blog/author/purocleaneditorial) | Jan 19, 2018 5:00:00 AM

Animals, especially those we keep outdoors, are exposed to great risks when a snowstorm arrives. If possible, the animal owners should bring them inside or take them to a sheltered area where they can live safely until the blizzard has passed. Here are more essential tips to keep pets and livestock safe during a snowstorm:

- **Pets should be brought inside** and livestock must be moved to sheltered areas. Just like humans, animals can suffer from hypothermia and frostbite, mainly when the temperature drops below 0 degrees Celsius.
- **Shelters for outdoor animals** should be small enough to hold in the pet’s body heat, but large enough for the pet to sit or lie down. The floor should be elevated a few centimetres off the ground and covered with straw or cedar shavings. Also, the enclosure has to be draft-free and its doorway should be protected with waterproof material.
- **The animals living outside** in shelters must have access to non-frozen water and food. Their access to water and food must not blocked by obstacles such as ice or snow drifts.
- **Dogs and cats should be separated** – they might get frightened and attack each other. Also, small areas where cats can hide should be sealed, and dangerous items in the room should be removed.
- **As salt and other chemicals** are used to melt ice on walkways, pet owners should wipe their pets’ paws with a damp cloth after a walk. If chemicals come in contact with a pets’ paws, they could lick their paws and become irritated or even sick.
- **Walking dogs outside** during heavy snowfall should be avoided. There is a risk that loosened trees or branches could fall and injure the owner or the pet. If walking the dog out is necessary however, it should be kept on a leash.
- **Any antifreeze spills in the garage** or other area should be wiped, and the substance should be stored in a safe place. Pets that ingest antifreeze can become seriously sick.

Pet owners should have a plan to protect their pets in case of a fire, as well. Here are tips to [keep pets safe from fire](https://www.puroclean.ca/blog/tips-keep-pets-safe-fire?hsLang=en) and more guidelines to [protect pets from disasters](https://www.puroclean.ca/blog/how-protect-pets-disasters?hsLang=en). The PuroClean team stands ready to provide professional restoration services to any property affected by fire, water or mould damage.

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