Here are critical tips for keeping your pet from freezing to death
It’s still more than two weeks until Christmas, yet the below-freezing overnight lows already are upon us.
The National Weather Service is forecasting a wintry mix of precipitation Friday night and into Saturday in the Columbus area, followed by a low of 28 degrees on Saturday night and 29 degrees Sunday night. Outlying areas likely will be chillier.
Aside from stocking up on food and firewood for your human loved ones, PAWS Humane in Columbus is urging residents to not forget their beloved dogs and cats in the coming days.
“Pets in this area are not acclimated to the cold temperature and precipitation and can experience hypothermia or frostbite, therefore, we recommend to bring your pets inside these next few nights,” said Dr. Robby Wrighten, lead veterinarian at PAWS Humane. “If you absolutely cannot bring them inside, your garage is an option that will block out wind and rain.”
Aside from bringing them indoors, here are a few cold-weather tips to keep in mind for your pets:
▪ Know the limits of your pet. This can depend on their coat of hair and any medical issues they might have. Thick-coated dogs tend to be more tolerant of cold, but are still at risk in cold weather. Short-haired pets feel the cold faster because they have less protection.
▪ If your pet has a short coat, consider adorning them with a sweater. Just make sure if it gets wet to switch the apparel out with a dry one.
▪ If you are absolutely unable to bring your pet inside, provide him or her with a warm, solid shelter to keep the wind out. Providing hay or some type of bedding will help.
▪ Listen to your pet. If it is whining, shivering, slows down or stops moving, get them to a warm place as soon as possible. They could be showing signs of hypothermia. If you suspect your pet has hypothermia or frostbite, consult a veterinarian immediately.
Tony Adams: 706-571-8574, @ledgerbizz
This story was originally published December 8, 2017 at 12:30 PM with the headline "Here are critical tips for keeping your pet from freezing to death."