By Jennifer Theurer

Clay Veterinary Clinic wants your pets to enjoy the holidays as much as you do and Dr. Kyndall Neal, DVM, has some helpful advice for when the temperatures drop and Christmas decorations go up.

Just as humans can suffer from hypothermia, cats and dogs are no different. If you notice your pet shaking uncontrollably take steps to try and warm them up. Neal says a pet suffering from hypothermia will have really stiff muscles that make it hard for them to walk and their gums will be very pale.

Making sure outdoor pets have plenty of thawed water available will help them stay healthy but don’t warm them up too fast if they show signs of being too cold.

“If it’s an outside dog, instead of bringing them into the nice warm house by the fireplace maybe bring them into the garage for a little while first,” Neal said. “Then [bring] them on into the house so it’s not such a big change to their system.”

Temperature isn’t the only hazard for pets when there is snow and ice to contend with.

“Especially for ones that are in the city, don’t let them lick the salt or ice melt off their paws,” Neal said, as those two substances can have adverse effects on cats and dogs.

Many know to keep plants like poinsettias and holly leaves and berries away from their animals, but Neal warns them to keep an eye out if they have a tree that has been flocked with a flaky white substance, too, as it can be harmful for pets if ingested.