Tips for Cold Weather Care of Your Pets

One of the cherished aspects of the Hudson Valley is the variety of seasons it experiences throughout the year. However, our winter season can bring harsh temperatures, winds, snow and ice. This can be dangerous for not only humans, but our pets as well.

You have heard it before (and likely have seen a funny meme or two), but as a general rule: if it’s too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for them. Depending on the coat thickness, age and health of your dog or cat, and amount of time spent outside, even 40 degrees Fahrenheit can be dangerous. Certain conditions and diseases can compromise their ability to regulate their body temperature. On the other hand, breeds with heavier coats are often able to handle colder temperatures for longer, as long as they are acclimated to them.

When the temperature is cold or there is snow/ice on the ground, limit the time outside to avoid hypothermia, frost bite, and cracked nails/paws. Even keeping your pet in a car can be dangerous as cold cars can act as refrigerators to hold in the cold. Time spent outside will depend on the individual pet and the weather conditions. Look at your pet’s body language for cues. Signs that it’s time to go inside may include tucked tail, holding ears back/down, lifting up paws, shivering, whining, walking slowly or stopping frequently. You can refer to the chart on this website to get a sense: https://www.fetchpet.com/the-dig/how-cold-is-too-cold-for-your-dog When in doubt, err on the side of caution and note that no graph will 100% predict how your pet tolerates the cold or for how long.

To try to cope with the cold weather and snow, consider booties and coats for the short-haired breeds. You can also use protectants on the feet such as Musher’s Secret or petroleum jelly. Once your pet is inside, remove any trapped snow, ice, salt/sand from the paws, belly, and legs.

Dogs and cats can become hypothermic. The main signs are lethargy and decreased appetite. If you suspect your pet has hypothermia, move them to a warm environment and bundle them with warm blankets. Do not use heated blankets/pads as they can cause burns, and a hypothermic pet may not be alert enough to move away from them. Avoid using excessive external heat (i.e. heaters, hair dryers) as that could cause blood vessels to dilate too much, causing systemic shock. If hypothermia is suspected, it is best to get them veterinary medical care.

If your pet does need to spend extended time outside, be sure there is adequate shelter and fresh water (ice does not count). This may mean replacing the water several times in a day or investing in a pet-safe heated water bowl. The floor of the shelter should be elevated off the cold ground with plenty of thick, dry, clean bedding. The door should face away from the direction of prevailing winds if possible. Avoid heated blankets and space heaters as they can be fire hazards and cause burns.

Another hazard during the winter is automotive antifreeze ingestion. Be sure to clean up any spills and keep containers out of reach of your pet.

Knowing your pet’s tolerance to cold weather is important during this time of year. Remember that it varies from pet to pet, so look for cues and use common sense to know when it’s time to bring them inside.