01/19/2025
Protect Your Pets in Extreme Cold! 🥶🐾
Soon temperatures are expected to feel as cold as -25°F. Such severe conditions pose serious risks for all pets, regardless of their living situations. Here’s what you need to know:
🐶 Double-Coated Dogs
• Even dogs with thick, double coats are at risk in extreme cold.
• Limit outdoor time to bathroom breaks and short walks.
• Watch for signs of cold stress: shivering, whining, lifting paws, or slowing down.
• Use dog booties and a winter coat for added protection.
🐱 Stray Cats
• Stray and feral cats may struggle to survive in such harsh conditions.
• Provide temporary shelters using storage bins and STRAW. Google DIY shelter for stray/feral cats in extreme cold to learn how to make shelters.
• Check your car hood before starting the engine (cats may climb inside for warmth).
🐕🐈 Outdoor Pets
• Bring outdoor pets inside, even if it’s just to a garage or enclosed porch.
• Ensure they have fresh, unfrozen water and extra food, as they burn more calories staying warm.
• Outdoor shelters should be insulated, elevated off the ground, and windproof. Use straw for bedding, not blankets (which retain moisture).
🏠 Indoor Pets
• Let indoor pets outside only to use the restroom and bring them right back inside.
• Supervise them while they are outside. Yes, it’s cold to stand outside, but it’s safer to watch them go to the bathroom and come back in than to:
▪︎Accidentally forget them outside.
▪︎Have them run away without you realizing it.
• Ensure senior pets or those with health issues are especially well protected.
Also, keep in mind hypothermia and frostbite can set in very quickly - sometimes within minutes.
Hypothermia
• Onset: Can begin within 5-10 minutes for pets exposed to extreme cold, depending on their size, coat type, and health. Smaller pets, short-haired breeds, and those with underlying health issues are at greater risk.
• Signs: Shivering, lethargy, weakness, confusion, and slowed breathing. Severe cases can lead to unconsciousness or death.
Frostbite
• Onset: Frostbite can occur in as little as 10-30 minutes at temperatures as low as -20°F, especially on exposed areas like ears, tails, and paws. Wet fur or skin accelerates this process.
• Signs: Pale, gray, or blue skin; cold and hard areas; pain when touched; and swelling. In severe cases, the skin may blister or turn black as it thaws.
Prevention Tips
• Limit outdoor time to just a FEW MINUTES for bathroom breaks.
• Always supervise pets outside to ensure they don’t stay out too long or wander off.
• Use booties or paw balm to protect paws from frostbite and ice-melting chemicals.
• Dry pets thoroughly if they come in wet from snow or ice.
Let’s all do our part to keep pets safe and comfortable in these freezing temperatures. ❤️ If you see an animal in distress or that you are concerned about contact Animal Control of Hancock County, Ohio 419-423-1664 ext. 123
*Don't forget to keep some jugs of water aside for your pets, in case your pipes freeze*
At Pet Alliance, Dr Eberly believes that pets are more than just animals; they are beloved members of your family. My name is Crystal Eberly.
