Most of Our Pets Are Part of the Family
Winter is in full swing and of course with the winter months come the cold temperatures. Here in West Texas we have sustained extremely low temperatures for a duration not experienced here in almost a century. If you have a pet it is important to understand the risks that cold weather can bring to the health and life of your pet.
Don’t Leave Them Outside
A good rule of thumb when it comes to keeping pets safe in the winter is that if it is too cold for you, it is too cold for them. Extreme cold temperatures are just as dangerous for our pets as they are for us. Like humans dogs and cats can be vulnerable to hyperthermia.
Outdoor Dogs
While there are some dog breeds that are made for the cold weather, such as the Husky or Malamute, most other breeds of dogs are very vulnerable to the cold; especially smaller, short-haired breeds. Dogs can be vulnerable to frost-bite and hypothermia as well. Frost-bite can happen when the dog’s body gets too cold. The body begins to pull all the blood from their extremities toward the center of their body to keep them warm. A dog’s ears, tail and paws can get so cold that ice crystals can form in the tissue and damage it. The tricky thing about frost-bite is that the obvious symptoms can be delayed for several days. If you suspect your dog has frost-bite soak his extremities in warm water for about 20 minutes to melt the ice crystals and restore circulation then wrap him in a blanket and take him to the vet; do not rub the extremities if you suspect frost-bite.
Hypothermia is another dangerous winter condition that can cause weakness, lethargy and depression in your dog. Again, if you suspect your dog may have hypothermia, take him to the vet immediately.
Outdoor Cats
Cats can die if their body temperature falls below 60 degrees. Short-haired cats that are elderly and in poor health are particularly vulnerable compared to healthy long-haired cats. Once a cat gets outside in the cold they will seek warmth wherever they can find it, such as crawling into the warm engines of cars. This, of course, is very dangerous for the cat the next time the car is started. If you do have an outdoor cat, or care for a group of feral cats, it is important to set up shelter for them to stay warm. Make sure that the shelter is insulated and that there is plenty of water and extra food for them to help in keeping them warmer.
Some Chemicals Pose Serious Risks to Pets
In addition to the cold temperatures, it is important to be aware of other hazards that can be dangerous to your pets. Toxic chemicals such as anti-freeze that is used to make our lives easier in the winter can be deadly to your pets who are drawn to the smell of such chemicals. The salt that is used on the roadways to provide traction on the road for vehicles is particularly dangerous as well. The salt gets on to their paws , which they lick, exposing them to this toxin. If your pet gets this salt on their paws it is important that you wash their paws with warm water to remove any danger to the pet. A frozen swimming pool or pond may look frozen solid but may not be and can pose a danger for dogs and cats falling through the ice. Do not assume it is froze solid.
If You See a Pet Left Out in the Cold
If you see a pet that has been left out in the cold do not assume owners are negligent; they may not be aware of the dangers the cold can pose to their pet. Share this information with them or offer to help put up a shelter for the pet. However, if you suspect negligence is involved you should take action. It is a crime to leave your pets outside in extreme cold without food and proper shelter. Negligence and abuse may be reported to your local law enforcement such as the Sherriff’s Department. Owners that leave their pets out in the cold can face criminal charges.
They Are Counting on You
If extremely cold temperatures are expected and you do not have shelter for your pet consider finding a dog setter or boarding your pet. When you consider the vet costs of trying to heal an animal who has frostbite or hypothermia it’s a small investment. You are all they’ve got, don’t let them down.