Winter Burns and Pets

Pet Insurance Australia is issuing a timely reminder regarding pets suffering from burns during the winter period.

“We certainly all have our heat pumps on, heaters on full speed, and fires roaring,” Nadia Crighton from Pet Insurance Australia says. “However, each year we do see a big jump in the number of claims for burns that are directly impacted by the season. We tend to witness a 300% jump in claims from May to August when it comes to burns affecting our pets.”

Keeping our pets safe around heat sources is important during the winter period, this also includes monitoring pets on heating pads, and warm drinks.

“It’s not uncommon to hear of a happy waggy tail dog tipping over a cup of hot tea, or allowing fluffy to snuggle too close to the fireplace,” Crighton warns. “Keeping safe during winter and ensuring you are taking some simple steps can safe your pet from a painful burn during the winter period.”

Pet Insurance Australis suggests keeping hot drinks up high and away from pets, and also training your pet when it comes to heat sources.

“Simple tricks include training your dog to have a line on how close they can get,” Crighton says. “Or erecting a barrier like a fire guard or child guard.”

Other tips include:

• Never leave a pet unsupervised with heating pads on.
• Do not give your pet hot water bottles.
• Buy good-quality dog coats instead of using a heating device to keep your pet warm.
• Do not leave hot drinks in low-lying areas.
• Keep your pet a safe distance away from heat sources.
• Discourage cats from jumping on heaters.
• Purchase safe heaters that turn off when knocked over.
• Never leave electric blankets on when you are not at home.

“It is always best to safely warm your pet,” Crighton advises. “Think about pet-friendly heat packs, moving bedding into sun-drenched areas, and using dog coats and blankets.”

If your dog lives outside during the daytime having a good sturdy kennel area is important. Picking this up off the floor and turning the door out of the weather can help keep your pet warm when you are not at home. Also, the positioning of the kennel will change from summer to winter. Warm bedding and straw inside the kennel alongside a kennel door flap can also help keep your pet warm when you are not at home and mother nature is bearing down.

Common Burns:

• Hot water bottles
• Scolding from hot drinks
• Fireplace/heater burns
• Chemical burns
• Faulty pet heat pads/electric blankets

“Burns can cause an immense amount of pain for your pet,” Crighton says. “With some really basic steps, encouraging pets to stay a safe distance from your heating source and prevent a lot of issues when it comes to burns.”

Burns can cost upwards of $1,000 depending on the severity of the burn to the pet. Keeping pets safe and educating pet owners is paramount.

“Accidents can happen very quickly,” Crighton says. “Leaving pets suffering from painful burns and costly outcomes for pet owners. “With simple rules and monitoring pet behaviour around heating sources, pet owners can successfully help prevent companion animals from becoming a burns statistic this chilly season.”

Photo by Sdf Rahbar

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