A Guide to happy, Cozy Pets in Harsh Conditions
As temperatures drop, it’s essential to keep your pets warm, safe, and healthy. Winter weather can pose serious risks to animals, but with a few proactive steps, you can ensure your furry friends stay cozy and safe all season long.
Simple Winter Safety Tips for Pets
- Limit Outdoor Time: Just like people, pets can easily get frostbite or hypothermia in harsh conditions, especially without proper protection. If you don’t want to be out for long, it’s likely your pets don’t either, keep their outdoor activities brief during extreme cold.
- Gear Up: Invest in a winter coat or sweater for your pups! Smaller or short-haired dogs need it most but even large and long-haired dogs appreciate being cozy and protected. Booties make for additions to the winter wardrobe too!
- Paw Care: Salt, ice, and snow can irritate your pet’s paws. Use pet-safe deicers and rinse their paws after walks.
- Don’t Leave Pets in the Car: Just like in summer, vehicles can quickly mirror outside temperatures in the winter and pets left unattended in cars can quickly become frigid.
- Provide Cozy Bedding: Make sure your pet has a warm, draft-free area to sleep, away from cold floors or doors.
- Hydration is Key: Pets can become dehydrated in winter, so ensure fresh water is always available. They’ll burn extra calories trying to stay warm in the winter too, so an extra snack here and there won’t hurt!
- Avoid Antifreeze: Antifreeze is toxic to pets but can taste sweet to them. Clean up any spills immediately and keep containers securely stored out of reach.
- Skip the Salon: It’s best to keep grooming to a minimum during the winter months as dog’s coats are a natural form of protection in harsh conditions. Give pups a good brushing and light trim to prevent snow and ice from sticking to their coat, but allow them to keep their length, and therefore their warmth!
Temperature Guidelines for Dogs
Different breeds and sizes of dogs tolerate cold differently. Here’s a quick guideline to help you decide when it’s too cold for your pup to be outdoors:
- Above 45°F (7°C): Most dogs are safe to be outside for extended periods, but watch for signs of discomfort in small or thin-coated breeds.
- 32°F to 45°F (0°C to 7°C): Smaller breeds, puppies, senior dogs, and short-haired breeds may start feeling chilly. Limit outdoor time for these groups.
- 20°F to 32°F (-7°C to 0°C): All dogs are at risk of cold-related health issues, particularly smaller or thin-coated dogs. Use coats or sweaters for added warmth.
- Below 20°F (-7°C): Outdoor time should be minimized for all dogs, regardless of size. Frostbite and hypothermia become serious risks at this point.
Worth Noting: Larger, double-coated breeds like Huskies and Malamutes can handle colder temperatures, but even they shouldn’t be left outside for prolonged periods without shelter.
Additional Tips for Winter Safety
- Check Car Engines: Outdoor cats and other small animals sometimes seek warmth under car hoods. Bang on your hood before starting the engine to avoid accidents.
- Beware of Ice: As you probably know, ice can be slippery and dangerous! Keep your dog leashed near icy ponds or lakes to prevent falls through thin ice.
- Have a Back Up Plan: Winter storms, especially with high winds or sub-freezing temperatures, have been known to cause power outages. If this happens, focus on sealing drafts, layering up, and keeping plenty of warm blankets close at hand.
Stay Alert for Warning Signs
If your pet is shivering, whining, appearing anxious, or seeking warmth, it’s time to bring them inside! Prolonged exposure to the cold can lead to frostbite or hypothermia, which require immediate veterinary attention. Read more on Frostbite vs. Hypothermia: How to Spot the Differences and Keep Your Pet Safe.
Report Animals Left Outside
If you notice an animal left unattended for any extended period of time in harsh temperatures, be sure to report it to your local office of animal welfare. In Delaware, call 302-255-4646 to report animals left in the cold, or any other suspected animal neglect.
