If you have outdoor pets, they may have fur, but they also need protection from freezing temps. With temps dropping this week, here's how to make sure your pets stay safe! 

funny dog dachshund jumps up in winter park
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This week temperatures are dropping (it's definitely not the 50s and 60s we experienced this weekend anymore!) with highs in the 30s to 40s to lows below freezing,  it's a good time to remind people to bring pets inside. With temps dropping into the low 20s at night, please be sure to bring your pets inside, or at least into the garage where they can have shelter from the cold.

Now that Winter is here, please make sure you have a plan in place to keep your pets safe.  And if you notice someone neglecting a pet in the cold, contact your local Animal Control and report it!

According to the American Veterinary Medical Foundation, here's some tips to keep pets safe:

Cats and dogs should be kept inside during cold weather. It's a common belief that dogs and cats are more resistant than people to cold weather because of their fur, but it's untrue. Like people, cats and dogs are susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia and should be kept inside. Longer-haired and thick-coated dog breeds, such as huskies and other dogs bred for colder climates, are more tolerant of cold weather; but no pet should be left outside for long periods in below-freezing weather.

We don't recommend keeping any pet outside for long periods of time, but if you are unable to keep your dog inside during cold weather, provide him/her with a warm, solid shelter against wind. Make sure that they have unlimited access to fresh, non-frozen water (by changing the water frequently or using a pet-safe, heated water bowl). The floor of the shelter should be off of the ground (to minimize heat loss into the ground) and the bedding should be thick, dry and changed regularly to provide a warm, dry environment. The door to the shelter should be positioned away from prevailing winds. Space heaters and heat lamps should be avoided because of the risk of burns or fire. Heated pet mats should also be used with caution because they are still capable of causing burns.

 

 

 

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