Keep Your Pets Safe This Winter: Cold Weather Brings Risks For Your Animals
Keep your pets safe this winter. Remember, cold weather brings risks for your animals, AccuWeather reports.
Winter can be just as difficult for animals as it is for you. Animal experts stress that animals can get hypothermia and precautions should be taken to avoid this from happening.
KC Theisen, Director of Pet Care Issues for the Humane Society of the United States (HSUS), thinks that you should think of your animals as you would think of yourself.
“If you wouldn’t stay out in that weather, your pet shouldn’t either. A key component to keeping healthy and safe is staying dry when you’ve been cold.”
World Animal Foundation (WAF) said that animals should stay inside as much as possible during the winter. If your outside animals are not able to be brought in during the winter, you should create a waterproof and wind-proof enclosure with dry bedding for them to stay in.
One additional way to keep your animals dry and warm is to buy them clothing. Some may seem to think that is a bit strange, but it really does help, Theisen revealed.
“Adding those layers of protection, like a sweater or a coat and waterproof booty, for your dogs can really help them stay more comfortable in severely cold weather as long as they are comfortable and happy wearing their attire.”
HSUS also revealed that should your animal have to stay outside in cold weather, you should give them extra food and water to fight malnutrition and dehydration. HSUS explains that animals deplete their energy by trying to stay warm. In return, the energy burned can lead to malnutrition and dehydration if they don’t receive the proper amount of food and water to make up for the lost energy.
Further, always make sure your pet’s water is not frozen. It is always best to use plastic food and water dishes, rather than metals ones to avoid your animal’s tongue getting stuck to the metal bowls.
Another interesting fact that many may animal owners may not know is that road salt and antifreeze can be dangerous to pets in the winter. Animals tend to be drawn to antifreeze due to its sweet smell, but it is dangerously toxic to them. Manufacturers agreed to put a “bittering agent” into antifreeze to make it less appealing for animals, Theisen revealed.
“We really, really hope this is going to reduce the number of pets that are lost each year or sickened each year due to antifreeze poisoning.”
Vice President of the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA), Dr. Louise Murray, explains how you can avoid your animal being poisoned with antifreeze.
“Pet owners should be sure to store products out of the reach of pets, thoroughly clean up any spills from their vehicle, and consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol.”
Murray also revealed the dangers of road salt in the winter for your animals. Humane Society also stresses that road salt is highly dangerous for animals.
“Though paw pads are tough, ice melts can cause them to sting, become irritated and even crack, turning a daily walk into a painful ordeal for your dog. What we also don’t want is for that pet to lick their feet clean and ingest the salts and the dirt from the road where they’ve been walking.”
During severe winter storms and blizzards, Theisen recommends that you have a plan for your animals, just as you have one for yourself.
“We recommend that everyone have a blizzard or severe winter storm plan in place that includes their pets.”
Even indoor animals need to have an emergency plan should the power go out, leaving the house cold in the middle of the winter. If you need to leave your home due to the cold, you need to take your animals with you. There are always pet-friendly hotels.
[Featured Image by Shutterstock]
