Cold Weather Protection

Cold Weather Protection

If the weather outside is frightful, be prepared with some cold weather tips for your furry friend!  Protecting your pets from the cold is not only responsible pet ownership - it's the law. Failure to provide adequate food, water and shelter from the elements is considered animal cruelty.  Treat your pet the way you would want to be treated if you were in their paws!

If the weather conditions are intolerable for you, then they may also be dangerous for your pets.  The Toledo Area Humane Society offers these tips to help protect your pets when the mercury drops. 

Keep your pets indoors
Extreme cold weather can be deadly.  Limit the amount of time you allow your pet to spend in the cold.  When you take your dogs out for a "potty break", stay out with them.  If you're too cold to stand out there, then it's probably too cold for your pet to stay out much longer.  Remember that animals can suffer from hypothermia and frostbite just like people.   

Provide adequate shelter for the outdoors
If you are unable to bring your pet inside, be sure to winterize their outdoor living area.  Dog houses should be insulated and bedded with straw or wood shavings.  Plan on changing the bedding frequently since your dog will track in snow each time it enters the shelter.  Be sure to position the opening of the dog hose so that it faces the south, away from the direction that the snow and wind usually comes from.  Dog houses can also be fitted with wind flaps that will help keep the cold air from entering through the opening.  

Throroughly wipe off your pet's paws, legs and stomach after each walk
When going for a walk, your pet runs the risk of picking up rock salt, ice and other chemicals in their foot pads.  Pets have a tendency to lick the salt off their feet which can cause an inflammation of the digestive tract.   Paw pads can also become irritated and bleed from excess exposure to snow and encrusted ice. 

Buy your dog a sweater or coat
It will not only make your pet look fashionable, but it will also help keep them warm.   You can even purchase footwear for your pet, although some dogs may object to having something cover their feet.  Remember that wearing a sweater or coat is not a proper substitute for shelter.  If the sweater or coat gets wet, it can actually remove more heat from an animal than they conserve.  

Snow and ice are NOT a substitute for water
Water freezes quickly in cold weather. Make sure your pet has fresh water at all times.  When temperatures drop below freezing, water must be changed several times daily.  Pet stores sell heated water bowls that can prevent freezing.

Talk you your vet about a winter diet
If your pet normally spends a lot of time engaged in outdoor activities, talk to your vet about your pet's winter diet.  Outdoor pets require more calories in the winter to generate energy to help ward off the cold.  

Do NOT leave your pet alone in the car
A car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold and causing your pet to freeze to death.  

Offer your pet some cozy places to sleep
Make sure your companion animal has a warm place to rest that is off the floor and away from drafts.  A thick pet bed or a warm blanket will keep your pet comfortable and warm.   

Dry your pet thoroughly after every bath
When you finish giving your dog or cat a bath, be sure to dry them off completely before letting them go outside.   

Avoid shaving Your dog during the winter
A short hair cut may reduce shedding in your home, but a longer coat will provide more warmth when your dog is out in the elements.  

Bang on the hood of your car before you start the engine
Outdoor cats will sometimes seek shelter under the hood of your car where it can take advantage of the engine's heat.  If they don't move before the car is started, they can be injured or killed by the moving parts.  

Clean up any antifreeze and engine coolant spills
These poisons taste sweet but are lethal to dogs and cats if they are ingested, even in small amounts.   

Watch out for thin ice
If you live near a pond or lake, do not let your pets run loose unattended.  They may head for thin ice and fall through if they are not familiar with icy ponds.  It is difficult to escape these watery traps and put both you and your pet at risk.

Protect your livestock
Horses and other livestock need shelter to block the wind and elements, warm bedding, abundant high-quality feed and fresh water.  If they are exposed to soaking rains, snow and wind they run the risk of catching pneumonia.  Thick layers of straw or shavings are critical to keep the animal off the cold wet ground.