Tips for keeping your pets safe this winter

GREENVILLE, S.C. (WSPA) –Your pets may suffer throughout the winter months.

While it may be hot outside right now, the Humane Society wants to make sure you're thinking about your pet's safety.

During the winter months, we may be subjected to freezing rain, sleet, and snow. Pets are frequently the last to be rescued from adverse weather conditions.

"They can get frostbite just like humans can," Rachel Delport, the Greenville Humane Society's Chief Executive Officer, explained.

One of the reasons the Humane Society is offering tips on how you may support your four-legged pals when the weather turns cold is because of this.

"As a pet owner, make sure you're providing them with all the resources you'd want for them to be happy and healthy," Delport advised.

First and foremost, the Humane Society recommends that you keep your pets indoors. That means creating a heated place away from the cold ground with some form of covering.

Just because they have fur doesn't imply they can tolerate freezing conditions, according to the organization.

"Make sure your pet has the right accommodations if your pet lives outside full time," said Julia Brunelle, Senior Communications Manager at the Greenville Humane Society. "Make certain that your dog house is the appropriate size. If you have a dog who spends a lot of time in that shelter and that is what they are dependent on, and there is too much space in there, the cold air can get in."

According to the Humane Society, your pets should have a draft-free shelter that is spacious enough for them to stand and turn around in but small enough to keep their body heat in. According to the organization, a layer of straw or other bedding material should be used to assist insulate them from the cold.

Make sure your pet has access to fresh water and that it is not frozen if it lives outside.

The Humane Society also suggests keeping an eye on what's going on on the ground. When the weather worsens, local emergency management teams treat the roads and walkways with salt and de-icers.

"Also, make sure your pet isn't walking in it." If they come into contact with something, make sure to wash their paws. "You don't want them to eat that because it might make them sick and help tear up those small paws, making it very uncomfortable for them," Delport explained.

Make sure your pet is microchipped in case it gets out of the house.

"Keep in mind that if it's cold or snowing, they'll have a terrible time tracking and finding their way back," Delport said.

Whether your pet lives indoors or outside, the Humane Society recommends that you keep safety in mind.

"I absolutely hope that when people think about their animal situation, they are doing what they would do for themselves," Brunelle added.

Always keep in mind that if you're cold, your pet is too.

The American Humane Society has some further tips on how to keep your dogs safe:

Before putting your dogs outside for a play or walk in the chilly weather, ensure sure they are thoroughly dry.

Keep your dogs on a leash when out in inclement weather. Winter storms make it simpler for a dog to become separated from its owner; more dogs are lost in the winter than in any other season.

If you live near frozen ponds, lakes, or rivers, keep your pets on a leash because they can break through the ice and succumb to hypothermia before skilled ice-rescue specialists arrive. Never attempt an ice rescue of a pet on your own; leave it to the experts.

Remember that pups are more susceptible to cold than older dogs while you concentrate on housebreaking your new puppy. If the weather is cold or unpleasant, you may need to paper train your new puppy rather of taking him outside.

Keep your kitties inside at all times. Without shelter, cats might freeze in the winter. When cats are left outside in the cold, they sometimes seek shelter and warmth under the hoods of cars, where they are hurt or killed when the ignition is turned on. Before starting the engine, bang loudly on the hood of your automobile a few times to avoid a disastrous situation. (This is also true for wild creatures in the winter.)

Stay with your pets when bringing them out for a restroom break. It's likely that if it's too cold for you to stand outside, it's also too cold for your dogs.

If your pet is outside in the cold, take the following precautions:

Keep in mind that remaining warm necessitates additional calories. When the weather drops, outdoor animals often require more calories, so feed them accordingly. Consult your veterinarian for dietary recommendations.

Details: https://www.wspa.com/news/ways-to-keep-your-pets-safe-during-the-winter-months/