Keep your pets safe during cold weather
What do you think?
Pets, like people, can suffer from cold winter weather.
The dangers are real but, by remembering a few basic things, your pets can make it through the current cold snap.
Linda Deberry, Senior Marketing Manager at Best Friends Animal Society in Bentonville, says frostbite mainly affects pets' ears, tails, and paws when temperatures drop below 20 degrees.
Deberry says pets can suffer from the cold just as humans can - with the possible exception of cold-tolerant dogs like malamutes
"When you're out walking your dog, you'll see them one foot at a time up a little longer, and that's because their feet are feeling cold.
"If we have sidewalks are covered with salt or others substances to melt that ice, that can be irritating to their paws.
"You'll you want to wipe their feet off to make sure that that's not getting down in between their pads and causing irritation."
Vehicle dangers
Deberry says dangers from vehicles also increase in the winter, especially for outdoor cats seeking warmth under car hoods.
"If you've got community cats in the neighborhood, be sure to bang on your hood of your car, look under the car, or honk the horn to scare those cats out of there so that they don't get hurt."
Hazards from toxic substances
Antifreeze poses a serious toxicity risk to pets during winter due to its sweet taste and widespread use.
Solutions used to clear ice off windshields can also be dangerous.
"When antifreeze is spilled it tends to collect in little green or blue puddles on the ground," she says. "It doesn't look good to me or you but, for some reason, animals want to lick or even drink it.
"It can be extremely toxic, even fatal," she says. "So be sure to clean those spills up."
Dangers from exposure
Another wintertime risk is simply exposure.
Linda Deberry says this can pose a particular risk to animals who live outdoors or domestic pets that have been abandoned.
"The community can help reduce animal suffering during harsh weather," she states.
"Neighbors should help animals by providing shelter to them in garages or sheds. Or, if possible, even open the doors of your house to pets."
Pet owners must take proactive steps to protect pets during winter storms and extreme cold.
"Keeping pets indoors during cold snaps prevents frostbite, hypothermia and even death," she says.
Securing doors is crucial
When snow falls, your dogs may get really excited to go run in the snow. They may burst out the front door and be running in the yard.
Deberry says this can pose a danger.
"When animals dash outside they often can become disorientated if the ground is covered with snow and ice and become lost, even if they're only a few blocks from home." she says.
She says regularly updating microchips and collar tags can ensure quick reunions if pets escape.
It's up to you
All together, these measures align with society's goal to reduce winter-related pet injuries and losses.
"We need to remember to protect our pets from the winter cold," she concludes.
"That way we can enjoy the weather together."
