Winter brings cozy nights and holiday cheer, but it also introduces seasonal dangers that catch even experienced pet owners off guard. While most of us know how to protect our pets from extreme cold, these eight hazards lurk in everyday winter scenarios—and recognizing them early could save your pet's life and spare you thousands in emergency vet bills.

Antifreeze use peaks during winter months as we winterize vehicles and protect pipes from freezing. The sweet taste of ethylene glycol attracts pets, but even tiny amounts are deadly. The Merck Veterinary Manual confirms that ethylene glycol intoxication occurs most commonly in cold climates when radiators are flushed and cooling systems maintained.

Signs to watch for:

• "Drunken" walking or stumbling within 30 minutes to 12 hours
• Vomiting and excessive thirst
• Apparent improvement at 12-24 hours (deceptive recovery phase)
• Lethargy progressing to seizures or coma
• Complete kidney failure within 36-72 hours in dogs, 12-24 hours in cats

This is always an immediate emergency. Dogs must be treated within 8-12 hours; cats within 3-4 hours. Just 2.5 tablespoons can kill a 20-pound dog, while as little as 1 teaspoon can be fatal for the average cat.

Treatment ranges from hundreds to thousands of dollars depending on complexity. In the rare severe cases that require dialysis, costs can rise dramatically.

How to prevent it:

• Store antifreeze in sealed, leak-proof containers out of reach
• Clean spills immediately—even small puddles are dangerous
• Check vehicles regularly for radiator leaks
• Use pet-safer propylene glycol antifreeze when possible
• Keep toilet lids closed in winterized cabins and RVs

The season of feasting becomes hazardous when holiday foods end up in curious mouths. Well-meaning guests and busy kitchens create more opportunities for pets to access dangerous treats. The ASPCA reports that chocolate accounts for around one in eight toxin calls during the holidays.

Signs to watch for:

• Chocolate: Restlessness, vomiting, increased heart rate, tremors, seizures
• Xylitol: This artificial sweetener in sugar-free products causes collapse within 30-60 minutes, weakness, seizures, coma
• Grapes/raisins: Hidden in holiday dishes, these trigger vomiting within hours, lethargy, decreased urination after 24-48 hours
• Macadamia nuts: Weakness, tremors, inability to walk, hyperthermia within 12 hours
• Fatty foods: Vomiting, abdominal pain, hunched posture (signs of pancreatitis)

Any ingestion warrants immediate veterinary consultation. For example, the Pet Poison Helpline warns that dogs are extremely sensitive to xylitol, and even small amounts (as little as 0.1 g/kg) can cause dangerous drops in blood sugar. Similarly, Cornell notes that with grapes and raisins, there’s no safe dose. 

Treatment varies from hundreds to thousands based on the toxin. Grape toxicity requiring dialysis may exceed $5,000.

How to prevent it:

• Secure all food in closed containers or high cabinets
• Brief guests explicitly about not feeding pets any table food
• Check ingredient labels for xylitol in sugar-free products
• Keep purses and bags containing gum or candy out of reach
• Dispose of food waste in secured trash cans

During winter, ice melt products are used heavily to keep sidewalks safe from November through March—but they create an often-overlooked hazard for pets. Many formulas contain sodium chloride, potassium chloride, calcium chloride, or magnesium chloride, which can irritate paw pads and become toxic when licked off fur or skin. The ASPCA notes that pets may even find the salty taste appealing.

Signs to watch for:

• Excessive paw licking or limping after walks
• Red, cracked, or chemically burned paw pads
• Vomiting or diarrhea within 3 hours of exposure
• Excessive drooling or loss of appetite
• Tremors, seizures, or disorientation (severe cases)

Seek immediate veterinary care if neurologic signs appear or if vomiting persists beyond 2 hours. According to the ASPCA, vomiting occurs in 30% of ice-melt exposure cases. Ingesting just 1.28 ounces of rock salt could be fatal for a 20-pound dog.

How to prevent it:

• Wipe or rinse paws immediately after every winter walk
• Apply paw wax or use dog booties for protection
• Choose pet-safe de-icers containing urea or labeled chloride-free
• Avoid heavily treated sidewalks—stick to snowy areas when possible
• Store ice melt products securely away from pets

Extreme cold causes frostbite when blood vessels constrict to preserve core temperature, leaving extremities vulnerable to tissue freezing. Signs may not appear until days after exposure. The AVMA warns that damage can occur in as little as 30 minutes in below-freezing temperatures.

Signs to watch for:

• Pale, gray, or bluish skin on ears, tail, paws, or nose
• Cold, brittle tissue that's painful when touched
• Swelling and redness as tissue thaws
• Blisters or skin ulcers developing over days
• Tissue turning dark blue to black (severe/necrotic)

Seek veterinary care immediately if you suspect frostbite, especially if skin appears black or begins sloughing off. Emergency treatment is critical when frostbite accompanies hypothermia—treat hypothermia first as it's immediately life-threatening.

How to prevent it:

• Limit outdoor time to 20-30 minutes maximum in freezing weather
• Use protective clothing—coats and booties for vulnerable breeds
• Pay special attention to short-haired, elderly, and small pets
• Keep fur between toes trimmed to prevent ice ball formation
• Never leave pets in cold cars or unheated spaces

Winter temperatures threaten your pet's core body systems when cold exposure drops body temperature below normal. Those with thin coats, the very young, seniors, and pets with conditions like diabetes or heart disease are especially vulnerable. The AVMA recommends keeping all pets indoors when temperatures fall below 32°F.

Signs to watch for:

• Violent shivering and anxious behavior
• Weakness and slowed movements
• Seeking warm places to burrow
• Lethargy progressing to drowsiness
• Loss of consciousness (severe cases)

This is always an emergency requiring immediate warming and veterinary care. Mild hypothermia has good prognosis with prompt treatment, but severe cases demand aggressive intervention.

How to prevent it:

• Keep pets indoors during cold weather alerts
• Provide insulated shelter with dry bedding if outdoor time is necessary
• Use appropriate winter clothing for at-risk breeds
• Monitor closely during bathroom breaks in extreme cold
• Recognize that even thick-coated breeds have limits

Winter drives rodents indoors, prompting increased use of rat and mouse poisons from October through March. Cold weather forces mice and rats into our homes and garages—where pets also spend time. Veterinary toxicologists report rodenticide poisoning ranks among the top ten emergency visits. Pets can be poisoned by eating dead rodents or investigating bait stations.

Signs to watch for:

• Anticoagulants: Lethargy, coughing, difficulty breathing, pale gums (3-5 days post-ingestion)
• Vitamin D3 type: Excessive thirst, frequent urination, weakness (2-3 days post-ingestion)
• Bromethalin: Tremors, seizures, paralysis (hours to days post-ingestion)
• Unexplained bruising or bleeding
• Bloody nose, urine, or stool

Any suspected exposure demands immediate veterinary care—waiting for symptoms makes treatment harder and more expensive. Keep the poison package to help identify the specific toxin.

Emergency treatment typically costs hundreds to thousands based on poison type and timing.

How to prevent it:

• Use humane traps instead of poison when possible
• Place bait stations completely out of pet access
• Monitor pets closely in garages, basements, and sheds
• Prevent hunting of potentially poisoned rodents
• Consider professional pest control services that use pet-safe methods

Holiday decorating transforms homes from November through January, surrounding pets with tempting hazards. The sudden appearance of lights, ornaments, and tinsel creates an irresistible playground. Puppies and kittens especially love to chew cords, while adult cats find tinsel particularly enticing.

Signs to watch for:

• Drooling or difficulty breathing (electrical shock)
• Burns in or around the mouth
• Vomiting repeatedly (possible obstruction)
• Loss of appetite or lethargy 24-72 hours after decoration access
• Straining to defecate or absence of bowel movements

Electrical injuries and suspected intestinal blockages require immediate emergency care. Even minor electrical burns in the mouth can lead to serious complications.

How to prevent it:

• Secure all cords with covers or bitter apple spray
• Skip tinsel entirely with cats
• Hang breakable ornaments above pet reach
• Anchor trees securely to prevent tipping
• Cover tree water reservoirs

From Thanksgiving through New Year's, the winter holiday season brings more visitors, celebrations, and routine disruptions than any other time of year. Unfamiliar guests, altered spaces, and owner absences trigger anxiety that manifests in both behavioral and physical symptoms.

Signs to watch for:

• House soiling in previously trained pets
• Excessive pacing, panting, or drooling
• Hiding or attempted escape
• Loss of appetite or vomiting
• Destructive behavior or aggression
• Over-grooming (especially in cats)

While stress itself rarely requires emergency treatment, seek veterinary help if pets refuse food for more than 24-48 hours or show severe anxiety or aggression posing safety risks.

How to prevent it:

• Create a quiet retreat room with familiar items
• Maintain feeding and exercise schedules
• Use pheromone diffusers or calming aids
• Brief guests about pet boundaries
• Consider anti-anxiety medication for severely anxious pets (consult your vet before the holidays)

Winter hazards multiply during the busy holiday season when our attention is divided. Keep the Pet Poison Helpline (855-764-7661) and ASPCA Animal Poison Control (888-426-4435) numbers saved in your phone.

Trust your instincts—if something seems wrong, seek immediate care. Early intervention means the difference between hundreds in preventive care and thousands in emergency treatment. With preparation and awareness, your pet can safely enjoy the holiday season alongside your family. This winter, awareness is your first defense against these overlooked seasonal hazards.

Guest Author

Guest authors for the Healthy Paws blog contribute content based on their research and expertise.