By Alice Sjoberg

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A veterinarian practice in Glasgow has shared four tips for all pet owners to think about as the colder and darker winter months are approaching, including how to keep your pets safe on walks in the dark. While most dogs need to go out on walks every single day, many pet owners will also be aware that the weather greatly affects where and how they go on walks. While it’s common knowledge to avoid taking your pets out on walks at the peak of the summer heat, there are also some precautions you should take in the winter months in order to keep your pets safe. 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, and all other animals in your area, happy and healthy as the days become darker and colder. Veterinary surgeon Ana Marques began the video by urging pet owners who take their pets out on walks to make sure they’re on a lead, and invest in a reflective collar if needed. “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,” she explained. A second vet went on to urge all pet owners to be careful of where they put chemical solutions, such as anti-freeze products that’s often used on cars. She went on to explain that some animals, especially cats , find these chemicals delicious and intriguing, but if they ingest it, it could be fatal for them. According to Cats Protection , even ingesting the smallest amount of antifreeze can be fatal to your cat. Once consumed, the ethylene glycol within the product gets rapidly absorbed into the body and will start to cause severe damage to the kidneys, nervous system and other vital organs. It’s crucial that your cat receives urgent medical attention if there is a chance they consumed antifreeze and are showing signs of poisoning. “So please, keep everything sealed and out of the way,” she urged viewers. “One tip that I would give to the general public and pet owners over the colder darker months to help animals safe would be to check for cats seeking shelter for heat and warmth in unusual areas,” a third vet said. 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. “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,” she urged people. “So, one thing I would advice pet owners doing in the winter months would be to be aware of when pavements are salted,” he said. While it might sound strange to not walk on the salt, which has been put down on the pavement to prevent people from slipping on the icy roads, it can actually cause harm for your pets to walk on. “The salt can act like a bit of an irritant to their sensitive paws, so it can be something that people often forget about,” he explained.