All animals need to have shelter during this severe winter freeze. With single digit temperatures and wind chills in negative everyone needs to take extra precautions including your pet. When you can feel the frigid temperatures on your cheeks as you walk out the door, if your face is exposed, remember that your dog has many parts that are also exposed that the fashionable jacket does not cover. Dogs can suffer from frostbite and hypothermia just like us. Especially young and elderly dogs are at a higher risk for these.
Pads on their feet can become frostbitten, dry, crack and even bleed. Also can be very irritated by the salt and sand we use to keep our walkways and road ways safe to travel. This is not healthy for them to lick off their feet and ingest the salt and chemicals into their systems. Snowballs can develop in between the pads causing discomfort, irritation and limping. Keep this area clean and the hair well trimmed.
Noses and Ears are also very susceptible to frostbite. Just best to limit outdoor activity time with your pets. Even though some dogs are outside with shelter in below zero temperatures they should be brought in over night and/or given extra warmth (blankets, straw for bedding, shavings can irritate their stomachs if ingested and irritate their skin).
Pets with arthritis are prone to having more discomfort in cold, damp environments. Watch for icy walks and provide soft bedding.
Caution - do not use a heat lamp, space heater, or other device
not approved for use with animals. This is a a burn hazard for your pet
and a fire hazard.
Anti-freeze is toxic to your pets. Clean up any spills around your house and watch for spills out on walks with your dog. Curious and thirsty dogs will lick this toxic chemical. If you feel your pet may have ingested some contact your veterinarian right away.
Always provide plenty of water for your pet. Eating snow can be dangerous for your dog. Small objects can be hidden in the snow, the cold snow can lower your pets body temperature putting them at risk for hypothermia and they have to consume a lot of snow to actually get an adequate supply of water to prevent dehydration.
Do be careful and let's hope that this severe cold spell will end soon!!!!!
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