Walking your dog in the dark: staying safe and seen

PDSA suggests walking your dog in daylight where you can. When you can't, stick to lit paths and places you know well.

• An LED or reflective collar, lead or coat for your dog.
• Something high-vis or reflective for you too: drivers need to see you both.
• A good torch, so you can see where you're walking and spot hazards like broken glass.

• Keep your dog on a short, strong lead attached to a well-fitting collar or harness.
• Practise “sit” and “wait” before crossing, so your dog stays put on cue.
• Leave the headphones at home, so you can hear what's coming.

• Antifreeze and de-icer are extremely toxic to animals and can kill them. Keep them out of reach and clean up any spills thoroughly.
• Wash your dog's paws after walks on gritted pavements, so they don't lick off salt and grit.
• Keep your dog on the lead near frozen ponds and lakes: thin ice can break under their weight.
• A good winter coat keeps your dog warm on cold walks, and a reflective one helps you be seen too.

A dog is harder to spot at night, and a frightened dog can run a long way. Make sure their collar and tag are on, their microchip details are up to date, and you have a recent photo. If they do go missing, start our lost dog checklist straight away.

A microchip can only be read at a vet or by the council, which can mean waiting until morning. A QR tag lets whoever finds your dog reach you in seconds, at any time of night.

Cats face more risk on the roads after dark too. PDSA suggests feeding your cat at dusk, so they're more likely to stay in overnight. If your cat wears a collar, choose a reflective quick-release one.

Driving on dark evenings? If you ever hit a dog or cat, here's what to do: the law is different for each.