11 ways to keep your dogs safe during winter storms and frigid temperatures
Cold weather may be just as deadly for pets as it is for humans, according to the Suffolk County SPCA. Pets have a harder time controlling their body temperatures, making them more sensitive to diseases caused by excessive temperatures.
Follow these guidelines to keep your dogs safe during winter storms and harsh cold:
Keep Pets Indoors
1. They can acquire frostbite, become disoriented, and develop hypothermia if left outside.
Walk
2. Be mindful of exposure time - only let dogs out to potty themselves. In the winter, many dogs, regardless of coat length, require boots.
3. Keep your dog on a leash at all times. Dogs might become disoriented or lose track of where they are. Due to snowplow piles and ice, roads are frequently treacherous during snowstorms.
ID tags
4. Keep ID tags on pets at all times, as animals can become separated during a winter storm. According to the SPCA, more pets are lost in the winter than at any other time of the year. In snow and slippery conditions, pets lose their ability to scent their way home.
NO Shave
5. Don't shave your dog down to the skin in the winter; if your dog has long hair, simply trim it. Consider getting your dog a coat or sweater if he or she has short hair. As soon as your pets enter the house, dry them with a towel.
Clean Feet
6. Wash your pet's feet - salt can hurt or burn your pet's feet, as well as induce vomiting and convulsions. If antifreeze is eaten, it can be fatal.
Bath
7. During cold spells, bathe your pets as infrequently as possible; cleaning them too regularly might lose essential oils, increasing the risk of dry, flaky skin.
8. Never let your dog or cat out until they are entirely dry after a wash.
Cars
9. Never leave your pet unsupervised in a car that isn't heated. Animals can easily die from frostbite.
10. Cats can be attracted to warm automobile motors, causing them to climb under the hood. Before starting the automobile, slam on the hood or blow your horn.
Is it too cold for you?
According to the ASPCA, if it's too cold for you, it's probably too cold for your pet.
Details: https://bronx.news12.com/tips-to-protect-your-pets-during-winter-storms-and-extreme-cold
