Getting your home ready for cold weather with a dog or cat

Winter changes the way a home is used

When the weather turns cold, pets and people spend more time inside. Windows stay shut, heaters come out, boots and coats pile up by the door, and walks get shorter and wetter. The American Veterinary Medical Association’s cold weather guidance describes this as a good time to make sure the house is properly pet-proofed. This guide turns that idea into a few room-by-room checks.

AVMA is clear on the starting point: cats and dogs should be kept inside during cold weather. The belief that fur makes them resistant to the cold is untrue, and pets can suffer frostbite and hypothermia. The ASPCA’s cold weather tips put it simply: if it is too cold for you, it is probably too cold for your pet.

Offer more than one warm place to rest

AVMA notes that pets, like people, may change where they sleep depending on whether they need more or less warmth, and recommends giving them several safe options. The ASPCA suggests a warm sleeping place off the floor and away from drafts.

Walk through the rooms your pet already uses and look for two or three possible resting spots. Check each one for:

• Drafts. Hold a hand near the floor by exterior doors and windows. A spot that feels pleasant at noon can be chilly at night.
• Distance from heaters. A bed placed right beside a space heater is not a safe warm option.
• Easy access. Older pets and those with arthritis may find cold weather harder, AVMA notes. Keep at least one warm spot that does not require stairs or a jump.
• Choice. Keep the familiar bed in place while you add a new option, so your pet can choose.

Our guide to a dog’s quiet resting space and older-pet home guide have room exercises you can reuse for this check.

Set up a wipe-down station by the door

Both AVMA and the ASPCA recommend wiping or washing a dog’s feet, legs and belly after winter walks to remove ice-melt, antifreeze and other chemicals, which a dog may otherwise lick off. The ASPCA adds towel-drying when pets come in, checking for snowballs between the toes and looking for cracked pads or redness.

A station makes the habit easy. Keep these in a basket or on a hook just inside the door your dog uses:

• Two or three old towels, so a dry one is always ready.
• A shallow tub or bowl for lukewarm water on very salty days.
• A spare dry coat if your dog wears one; AVMA notes that a wet coat can make a dog colder.
• A note of anything to report to the veterinarian, such as a cracked pad or a limp that appeared on a walk.

If your dog wears booties or a coat, AVMA says they should fit properly. If you are unsure whether your pet needs one, ask your veterinary team about your individual animal.

Check heaters, chemicals and the garage

Some winter risks live outside the living room. Use this short list for the garage, the entry and anywhere a heater runs.

• Space heaters. AVMA warns that space heaters can burn pets or be knocked over and start a fire. Place them where a wagging tail or a jumping cat cannot reach, and never leave one running in a room with a pet alone.
• Antifreeze. AVMA notes that even small amounts can be deadly. Clean spills promptly and keep containers closed and out of reach. The ASPCA suggests considering products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol.
• Ice-melt. Store bags sealed and high. Both organizations suggest pet-safe de-icers on your own property.
• Furnace and detectors. AVMA recommends checking the furnace before cold weather and installing carbon monoxide detectors to protect the whole household.
• The car. AVMA notes that outdoor cats may shelter near a warm engine, and suggests banging on the hood or honking before starting the car. Do not leave pets alone in a cold car.

Plan shorter walks and more indoor time

AVMA says you will probably need to shorten walks in very cold weather, and that cold tolerance varies with coat, body fat, activity level and health. Very young pets, very old pets and those with certain medical conditions may find temperature extremes harder. If you are unsure about your pet’s limits, AVMA suggests asking your veterinarian.

AVMA also recommends keeping dogs away from frozen ponds and lakes, and the ASPCA advises against letting dogs off the lead on snow or ice because they can lose their scent and become lost. Check that your pet’s collar fits and the identification tag is current; AVMA adds that microchip registry details need to stay up to date.

With fewer outdoor hours, plan some indoor activity your pet already enjoys. Our indoor cat enrichment guide has ideas for cats in a small home.

Make a winter supply shelf

AVMA recommends preparing for winter storms and power outages by including pets in your emergency kit, with enough food, water and medicine on hand to last at least five days. Pick one shelf or bin and keep pet food, water, any regular medicines, and a copy of your veterinarian’s contact details there.

Our household emergency plan guide walks through a fuller kit and evacuation plan. Start with the shelf now; it is useful long before a storm.

Know the signs that need help

AVMA lists whining, shivering, anxiety, slowing down or stopping, weakness and looking for warm places to burrow as signs of hypothermia, and advises getting the pet inside quickly. Frostbite can be harder to detect and may not be obvious for a few days. If you suspect either, contact your veterinarian immediately.

This checklist is a household planning aid. It does not diagnose cold-related illness or replace advice about your own pet.