Pet owners urged to buy one item this winter to protect their dogs

This handy item can help protect your pooch as the nights draw in.

Walking our dogs in the winter months can be dangerous- icy conditions and deep snow can pose serious risks to our pups, but the darker evenings in particular can put your pooch at risk of being hit by a car. In fact, the PDSA alone treats 3,700 pets injured in road accidents every year.

Although regular winter walks are important to keep up your dog’s fitness levels and mental health, shorter days can pose an increased risk to them. And with the colder months approaching, vets have issued some important tips on how to keep your pets safe in the dark.

Taking to social media, the pet health professionals at Glasgow Pet Emergency Hospital have shared their four top tips on how to make sure to keep your pet happy and healthy, The Mirror reports.

The experts advised buying a reflective collar for your pet this year to make them more visible to oncoming traffic when out on a walk in the dark.

Veterinary surgeon Ana Marques urged pet owners to make sure their dogs are on a lead, and to invest in a reflective collar if needed.

She said: “One tip that I would give pet owners during the cold and darker months is to keep your pet on a lead, or use a reflective collar, just because they tend to go out of sight and be more prone to injuries and when you can’t see them or supervise them.”

For those looking to purchase a reflective collar, Amazon offers a range on its website, and for pet parents looking to go the extra mile, the retailer offers this LED light-up collar for £14.99.

Or, Debenhams offers a reflective collar which is currently on sale for £10.99.

Ana and some other experts also shared some further tips for keeping your pet safe this winter.

Other tips for keeping your pet safe in winter

Be mindful of chemical solutions

A second vet advised all pet owners to be careful of where they put chemical solutions, such as anti-freeze products that’s often used on cars, which is poisonous for both dogs and cats.

She went on to explain that some animals find these chemicals delicious and intriguing, but if they ingest it, it could be fatal for them.

Look out for cats in unusual places

Another vet said: “One tip that I would give to the general public and pet owners over the colder darker months to help keep animals safe would be to check for cats seeking shelter for heat and warmth in unusual areas.”

She went on to say that the colder weather sometimes leads to cats looking to keep warm in smaller places they might normally not be in, such as garden sheds, garages, and even under the wheel arches of cars and other vehicles.

She said: “So make sure you’re checking these areas. Be sure you’re checking sheds before you lock doors, garages before you shut them over at night time, and checking those wheel arches to make sure there’s no furry friends hiding in there before you drive off.”

Avoid walking on salted pavements

While it might sound strange to not walk on salt which has been put down on the pavement to prevent people from slipping, it can actually cause harm for your pets to walk on.

A vet said: “So, one thing I would advice pet owners doing in the winter months would be to be aware of when pavements are salted. The salt can act like a bit of an irritant to their sensitive paws, so it can be something that people often forget about.”

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