Cold Weather and Pets



Winter can be a season of bitter cold and numbing wetness. Some people genuinely do not know the risk that cold weather poses to pets or livestock. Consider a winter wellness exam, especially if your pet has medical conditions such as arthritis, which can worsen in cold weather

Make sure the fur babies are safe and warm by following a few simple guidelines:

  • Do not leave dogs or cats outdoors when the temperature drops.
  • Pets that spend a lot of time outdoors need more food in the winter because keeping warm takes energy.
  • All pets, if kept outside for any length of time during the day, need shelter that can provide room enough to move comfortably, but small enough to hold in body heat.
  • Routinely check the water dish to make sure it is not frozen.
  • Do not use metal dishes outside in the winter. The pet’s tongue can stick and freeze to metal. It is better to use plastic dishes.
  • Remove common poisons, such as antifreeze, which has a sweet taste and can be deadly.
  • Rock salt and other chemicals used to melt snow and ice can be an irritant to the pads of pet’s feet.

Remember, if it’s too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for the pets, too. If left outdoors in freezing weather, pets can freeze, become disoriented, get lost, stolen, killed, or injured. Don’t leave pets in a car alone in cold weather. Pets can get too cold in cars.

Learn more:

Cold Weather Safety Tips. [Internet] Available from: https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/cold-weather-safety-tips

Cold Weather Animal Safety. [Internet] Available from: https://www.avma.org/resources-tools/pet-owners/petcare/cold-weather-animal-safety

Five Ways to Protect Pets in Winter. [Internet] Available from: https://www.humanesociety.org/resources/five-ways-protect-pets-winter

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