As North Texans hunker down for our two weeks of actual winter, here are few words of advice from the SPCA of Texas:
With record-breaking low temperatures hitting North Texas in the upcoming days, the SPCA of Texas is advising the community of cold weather safety to protect pets from the harsh outdoor conditions.
A good rule of thumb is that if you are cold outside, your pet will be, too. Freezing temperatures can be dangerous and even deadly for companion animals, so it is best to keep your pet indoors as much as possible.
Wet and cold weather can lead to hypothermia or pneumonia in animals. Be especially cautious with very young or very old animals, because they are more susceptible to suffering medical issues due to the cold.
Limit outside time to quick walks or bathroom breaks, and consider providing your pet with a pet sweater and booties to protect their paws from ice and/or snow. Avoid pavement and walk on grass when possible.
The SPCA of Texas never recommends leaving pets outside full time; however, if pets must stay outside for extended periods of time, always weatherproof their living quarters. The shelter must be covered, dry, insulated, filled with hay or other bedding and should retain heat. It should also be made up of three sides, a roof and a floor.
The house should be elevated and the entrance pointed away from wind. It could be against the law under animal cruelty in the state of Texas to leave your pet outdoors in extreme temperatures without appropriate shelter.
Monitor the time your pets spend outdoors and be sure they always have fresh water to drink that is not frozen. Outdoor dogs need more calories in the winter to produce body heat, so increase the amount you feed your pets if they stay outdoors for long periods of time.
Pet owners often innocently assume their pets can withstand the cold weather with the aid of their thick coats; however, this is not always the case. Indoor dogs shed their undercoats and should never be made to stay outside for extended periods of time.
Never shave your pets down to the skin in the winter; leave their coats long for more warmth. And when you bathe your pets, completely dry their coats before letting them go outdoors.
Salt, antifreeze and other chemicals could hurt your pets if they ingest them while licking their paws, so be sure to wipe your pets’ paws and legs clean with a wet cloth after an outing. Chemicals used to melt snow and ice can irritate paws and could potentially lead to frostbite, cuts or cracks.
Before starting your car, check to make sure there are no animals hiding in the exhaust pipe or under your tires. Cats and small animals may seek shelter near or under your car so be sure to look carefully and honk the horn before turning on the engine.
Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather. A car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold, and the animal could freeze to death.
For more tips on how to keep your pet happy and healthy, please visit www.spca.org/petcaretips. To report suspected animal cruelty, please visit www.spca.org/cruelty or call 214-461-1851.
