EDITORIAL: As temps plunge below zero, be sure to take care of your pets

Posted 12/15/16

Bitterly cold weather, like what we’ve experienced lately, can also be dangerous for pets. As temperatures plunge again this weekend — the low on Friday is forecast to be 21 below zero in Powell (and that’s not counting the windchill) — …

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EDITORIAL: As temps plunge below zero, be sure to take care of your pets

Posted

If you saw a dog locked inside a vehicle on a hot August day, you’d likely try to free the helpless animal or call the police. But what about pets left outside for too long in December’s subzero temperatures?

Bitterly cold weather, like what we’ve experienced lately, can also be dangerous for pets. As temperatures plunge again this weekend — the low on Friday is forecast to be 21 below zero in Powell (and that’s not counting the windchill) — it’s important to help animals stay warm by providing adequate shelter.

It’s not true that dogs and cats are more resistant to freezing temps because of their fur.

“Like people, cats and dogs are susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia and should be kept inside,” according to the American Veterinary Medical Foundation. “Longer-haired and thick-coated dog breeds, such as huskies and other dogs bred for colder climates, are more tolerant of cold weather; but no pet should be left outside for long periods of time in below-freezing weather.”

If you can’t bring a pet inside your home or garage, staff and volunteers at the City of Powell Animal Shelter recommend providing a dog house with straw bedding. If the door opening is too large and allows heat to escape, make the opening smaller. Ensure that the area stays dry and protected from the wind. However, if the animal’s shelter isn’t providing adequate warmth, the city shelter encourages residents to bring pets inside.

As with people, some animals are more vulnerable to frigid temperatures, especially those that are very young or old. Elderly pets and those with medical conditions like arthritis may have a tougher time walking on the ice or through the snow.

No matter the temperature, always be sure animals have enough food and fresh water. If your pet’s water dish is outside where it freezes, invest in a heated bowl.

Animals that spend most of their time outdoors need more food in the wintertime, since keeping warm depletes their energy, according to The Humane Society of the United States.

If you’re a pet owner, it’s your responsibility to ensure the animal is kept warm and safe.

With Christmas around the corner, it’s also important to remember that pets don’t always make a good gift, especially if the recipient isn’t ready to take care of an animal. As adorable as a puppy or kitten may be under the Christmas tree, their lifespan could be 12 years or more. A pet is not just a cute gift — it’s a long-term commitment.

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