Winter safety for your puppy
Keep paws safe from ice and salt, keep antifreeze away from pets, and keep your puppy busy indoors on cold days.
General care guidance. Needs vary by species, age and health. Your veterinarian can tailor a plan for your pet.
Antifreeze is poison
Most antifreeze contains ethylene glycol. It tastes sweet, and a small amount can kill a pet.
Clean spills right away and keep containers closed and out of reach. Antifreeze made with propylene glycol is much safer, but still keep pets away from it.
Early signs include wobbly walking, vomiting and acting dull, and they are easy to miss. If you think your pet licked any, go to a vet right away and bring the bottle.
Paws, ice and salt
Booties or a vet-approved paw balm help protect paws. Put booties on for short times at first, with treats.
After walks, wipe and dry your dog's paws, including between the toes, to remove ice, salt and de-icers.
Keep your dog on a leash on snow and ice, and walk slowly on slick spots.
Coat, baths and warmth
Do not shave your dog down to the skin in winter. Trim long coats instead, so ice and salt do not build up.
Bathe less often when it is cold, and dry your dog completely after a bath.
Short-haired dogs may need a coat or sweater. Never leave a pet alone in a cold car.
Stay active indoors
Play fetch down a hallway, tug with a rope toy, or hide treats for your puppy to sniff out.
Short training sessions of five to 10 minutes work your puppy's brain and help burn energy.
Sources & further reading
Sources checked November 1, 2026. These are original starter summaries; read the full guidance below.
Puppy Basics, one short lesson a day.
Potty training, the crate, the first vet visit, feeding and socializing, in plain words. See the lessons
First 30 Days with your puppy.
A week-by-week checklist, a shopping list and a feeding schedule. Print it and stick it on the fridge.
Join the Gotcha Day club.
Tell us your pet’s name and the day they came home. Every year we send a happy Gotcha Day note.