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11 winter pet health hazards to avoid

Antifreeze, candles, and other common cold-weather must-haves may be putting your furry friends at risk.

Updated on October 13, 2022

dog outside in snow
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Winter can bring cozy nights by the fireplace and snowy wonderlands outside your window. But along with cooler temperatures come unique dangers to animals. Here are 11 cold weather hazards that can harm your pet, plus ways to keep your furry friends safe.

cat on top of car hood
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Car hoods and engines

When it’s cold outside, outdoor and feral cats like to curl up in vehicle engines to stay warm. If they get trapped under the hood or car, they could get critically injured when the vehicle starts up.

Before you crank up your car, bang on the hood and honk your horn, so that any animals hidingShow More

dog with hat on
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Chilly temperatures

Just like humans, animals can experience hypothermia and frostbite if outside for too long. You can take pets for walks outside, but bring them inside when temperatures start to fall.

Shorthaired pets may need a sweater or jacket. If your dog is weak, shivering, or has trouble breathing, take theirShow More

antifreeze
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Antifreeze

Your car may need antifreeze during the cooler months, but if ingested, the engine coolant is poisonous to dogs and cats.

The substance smells and tastes yummy to animals, so they may be tempted by any spills or leaks. Be sure to clean dribbles and puddles so your pet doesn’t lick them up, and lookShow More

cat on tires
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Carbon monoxide

Carbon monoxide, an odorless gas, is poisonous to both humans and animals. Fires, car exhaust, generators, unventilated furnaces, and gas water heaters can emit the gas.

It’s best to keep pets out of the garage, especially if your car has been running. Be sure to keep them away from generators,Show More

salting icy sidewalks
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Ice-melting salt

When it comes to clearing a frozen or snowy path, ice salt works wonders. But the main ingredient in most salts—sodium chloride or calcium chloride—can irritate a pet’s paws and may be fatal if ingested.

Socks or booties will protect your pets’ paws from chemically based ice-melting products andShow More

kitty cat staring at candle
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Candles

Your favorite pine-scented candle may fill your home with an amazing aroma, but it can be a major danger to your pet.

Cats and dogs alike are curious enough that they may swat at candles or try to touch them, burning themselves in the process. Pets may also jump up on tables and knock them over,Show More

cat and dog next to fireplace
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Indoor heaters and fire places

Space heaters cause about 1,700 fires every year, according to the United States Consumer Product Safety Commission. Space heaters run on electricity, propane, natural gas, or kerosene, but the potential risks depend on the type of space heater you have.

When investing in a small space heater, leanShow More

dog on ice
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Frozen bodies of water

Taking several walks each day is a good thing—the exercise is beneficial for both you and your pet. But beware of frozen ponds, lakes, and other areas of cold water along your route; they can be major threats to you and your pet.

Try to find iceless paths and trails, and have your pup wear a lifeShow More

cat staring at a rat
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Rodenticides

If you use bait, poison, or traps to get rid of unwanted critters like mice, beware. Like rodents, your pet may be attracted to the bait’s ingredients and tempted to eat or lick it. It depends on the bait’s active ingredient, but some poisons damage nerve cells, while others harm an animal’sShow More

german shepherd staring at food on kitchen counter
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Under-the-table bites

It’s impossible to keep your fur baby away from the delicious holiday food (they always know when the bacon is cooking!), but a bite or two here and there could cause more harm than you think. Always avoid feeding your cats and dogs:

  • Chocolate
  • Citrus plants
  • Coconut
  • Grapes
  • Raisins
  • Dairy products
  • Show More
cat smelling apoinsettia plant
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Poisonous holiday plants

Holiday greenery can add some celebratory cheer to your abode, but some popular picks may be harmful to your pet.

The sap in poinsettia leaves may irritate your pet’s mouth and esophagus. Holly and mistletoe berries can cause intestinal upset if eaten, or even seizures or death if large amounts areShow More

Slideshow sources open slideshow sources

American Veterinary Medical Association. Cold weather animal safety. Accessed October 13, 2022.
Pet Health Network. Cats and Cars in Cold Weather. September 11, 2020.
ASPCA. Cold Weather Safety Tips. Accessed October 13, 2022.
Caesar’s Way. Hypothermia: Keeping Your Dog Safe In The Cold. December 15, 2015.
The Humane Society of the United States. Five ways to protect pets in winter. Accessed October 13, 2022.
Pet Poison Helpline. Carbon Monoxide. Accessed October 13, 2022.
PetMD. Carbon Monoxide Poisoning in Dogs. Accessed October 13, 2022.
National Fire Protection Association. Carbon Monoxide Safety. 2017.
PetMeds. Candle Safety and Cats. February 28, 2012.
TexVetPets.org. Near-Drowning in Dogs and Cats Can Be Fatal. September 2014. 
National Pesticide Information Center. Rodenticides: Topic Fact Sheet. Accessed October 13, 2022.
Environmental Protection Agency. Choosing a Bait Station Product for Household Use. Updated November 16, 2021.
ASPCA. People Foods to Avoid Feeding Your Pets. Accessed October 13, 2022.
Caesar’s Way. Human Food for Dogs That Will Not Harm. October 23, 2020.
ASPCA. Holiday Safety Tips. Accessed October 13, 2022.
University of New Hampshire. Which Holiday Plants Are Safe for My Cats and Dogs? December 3, 2018.
American Kennel Club Canine Health Foundation. Are Holiday Plants Toxic to Your Pet? December 20, 2010.
Consumer Product Safety Commission. Seasons Change, but Fire and Carbon Monoxide Safety Is Year-Round; Warm Up to CPSC’s Tips for Staying Safe During Colder Weather. December 14, 2021.

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