Antifreeze: The Sweet Toxic Killer Antifreeze has a sweet taste that animals love, but it is highly toxic.  Just one tablespoon is enough to kill a cat or small dog.  By taking simple preventative measures you can keep animals including pets, farm animals and wildlife safe.  
Prevention

• Promptly clean up spills – even the smallest amount can be toxic if not taken care of. Ethylene glycol, the chemical commonly used in antifreeze, is also found in paint, stains and cosmetics. Keep those products, or any product that contains ingredients that you are uncertain of, out of your pet’s reach.
• Never pour used antifreeze down the drain, in the gutter or flush it down the toilet. Always dispose of used or unwanted chemicals at your local recycling centre. For a list of facilities near you that accept antifreeze visit the Recycling Council of Alberta's Recycling Hotline.
• Always keep an eye on your dog if you are in unfamiliar places where hazardous chemicals may be lurking such as in garages or on driveways and roads.
• Keep your cat indoors. Cats that are kept inside are far less likely to ingest toxic chemicals.
• Watch your pets for abnormal behaviour. The sooner the antifreeze poisoning is detected the greater the chance of survival and recovery. If you suspect that your pet has come into contact with antifreeze or if your pet exhibits any of the following symptoms, take them to a veterinarian immediately: vomiting, lethargy, appearing uncoordinated or disoriented, difficulty breathing, increased thirst and urination.
• If possible, switch to the newly developed pet-friendly antifreeze containing propylene glycol, which is less toxic to animals and has a bitter taste. If your service centre doesn’t carry this antifreeze yet, encourage them to order it.

From the Alberta SPCA
 
The holidays can be a very hectic time of year, so it's even more important to pay special attention to your pet. Here are a few tips to help keep your pets safe and happy throughout the holiday season.

Christmas Plants                                                                                                                        
Keep Christmas plants out of your pet’s reach. Many plants including poinsettias, mistletoe berries, holly and amaryllis can cause your pet to become ill.    Visit the following link for information on Christmas plants toxic to your pets.

Decorations                 
Be aware of decorations that could be dangerous to your animal. Watch out for hooks on tree ornaments, tinsel or ribbon that is easily swallowed, and glass decorations that are prone to breaking.

Lights                           
Be careful with electrical wires; unplug your lights when you’re not around to supervise your pet. Before plugging wires back in, check them to make sure your pet has not chewed them.

Christmas Trees          
Secure your tree to the wall or ceiling with hooks and sturdy fishing line to prevent your tree from being toppled by climbing cats and curious dogs. 

Real Trees                    
Cover the water at the base of the tree. Pine sap mixed with water can cause diarrhea, mouth sores, vomiting and loss of appetite. Additionally, pine needles can get lodged in an animal’s throat which can cause difficulty swallowing or choking. 

Safe Place                        
Visitors can make pets feel anxious. Be sure your pets have a quiet place to escape the bustle of holiday guests.
 
Identification                
Be sure your pets have proper identification. The increased number of guests visiting your home provides more opportunities for your pet to slip outside unaccompanied.  The following link will provide you with information on pet identification methods

Table Scraps & People Food               
There are a number of foods that we enjoy, but can be fatal to pets. Stick to your pet’s normal food and treats, and be sure to ask your guests not to feed your pets.

Presents                           
Be aware of what you're putting under your tree. Keep gifts out of your pet's reach unless you know it's pet safe. A box of chocolates ingested by your curious animal can be life threatening.

Wrapping Paper & Ribbons After presents are unwrapped, be sure to promptly dispose, recycle or store away paper and ribbons as they make for dangerous toys for your animal.

From the Alberta SPCA

The frigid temperatures that coincide with Alberta winters can be dangerous for your pet. If you own or are caring for companion animals, you need to take extra precautions to protect them from the extreme cold. The best place for your pet is inside, except when you take it outside for exercise or if it is a breed of dog capable of surviving outdoor weather. Even long-haired dogs that are accustomed to being outside need extra precautions when the temperature plummets.

Here are some simple ways you can help keep pets safe and comfortable during the winter months:
Provide Extra Food  Animals that spend time outdoors in the winter require extra food to give them the necessary energy to stay warm.
Give Liquid Water  Ensure their water remains unfrozen by frequently replacing the water or using a heated bowl. Avoid metal bowls that tongues can stick and freeze to.
Have a Proper Dog House  A dog house needs to be the right size for your animal—just big enough for the dog to stand up and turn around, allowing the dog to retain its body heat. Make sure the doghouse is sturdy and has proper bedding. Straw is better than blankets, which soak up moisture that then turns to ice. Finally, the house should be turned away from the wind, or have an L-shaped entrance to reduce wind chill.
Watch Closely When Your Pet Is Outdoors  If you let your pets outdoors to do their business, keep a close eye on them. Pets that are not acclimatized to the cold weather may not be able to tolerate the frosty temperatures, even for short periods of time. Watch your pets to ensure they aren’t showing signs of discomfort or distress while outdoors.
Wash the Pads of Their Paws  Pets that go outside can pick up rock salt, ice and chemicals on their foot pads. After a walk, wipe your pet’s paws with a washcloth. This will keep their pads from getting chapped and will also prevent inflammation of the digestive tract that may result from licking the salt.
Trim Excess Hair on Their Paws  Sometimes ice pellets will form in the hair between your dog’s toes, causing discomfort when they walk outside. The warmth of their feet causes the snow to cling to these hairs, melt, refreeze and allow for more snow to accumulate. Trimming the excess hair between their toes will decrease the development of ice pellets. If you are uncomfortable trimming the hair yourself, visit a professional dog groomer.
Be Aware of Garage Dangers  Make sure that all chemicals are properly stored and spills are cleaned up. Be especially careful with antifreeze, which has a sweet taste that attracts both dogs and cats but can be fatal in even small amounts.
Practice Caution Before Starting Your Car  Cats and small wildlife in search of warmth may curl up inside a car engine. Before you turn your engine on, honk the horn or knock on the hood to scare them away.
Is Your Pet Especially Susceptible?  Animals that are young, old and in poor health are particularly susceptible to the cold. Conditions like diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease and hormonal imbalances can compromise a pet’s ability to regulate its own body heat. Animals that are not generally in good health—as well as very young and old animals—shouldn't be exposed to winter weather for a long period of time.
Report Neglected Animals if you suspect an animal is being left outside for too long without proper protection from the elements, report it.
If you have any questions about cold-weather precautions for your pet, ask your veterinarian—your vet knows your animal’s specific conditions and will be able to help you.