December 22 marked the official start of winter in the Northern Hemisphere, and though here in Atlanta we’ve recently seen temperatures reach near 70 degrees, the coming weeks (and months!) are sure to bring cooler weather. And as this seasonal change can be hard on the residents of “HOTlanta,” winter can be equally hard on our animal counterparts. The following tips can help you protect your pets when the temperature starts to drop.
*Some pets are better suited than others for spending extended periods of time outdoors – and younger and senior pets are even more susceptible to the dangers of the cold such as hypothermia and frostbite. It is best to keep pets indoors during times of extreme cold, but if that is not possible be sure to provide them with a suitable outdoor shelter with plenty of insulation such as straw or blankets to help keep in body heat. A heated dish will also make sure the animals’ water stays cool but doesn’t freeze.
*During the winter outdoor cats often sleep under the hoods of cars. If you know that there are outdoor cats in your area, be sure to honk your horn or bang loudly on the car hood before starting your engine. This will allow the cat time to escape and avoid any injury that can be caused by your motor.
*Be sure to wipe your pets thoroughly (preferably with a warm, wet cloth) after walking in the sleet, snow or ice. Dogs can get large ice balls between their pads from walking in such areas and the pads can become dry and chapped as well. Additionally, pets may ingest salt, antifreeze and other potentially dangerous chemicals upon licking their paws.
*Never leave your pet alone in a car during cold weather. The interior of the car can actually be colder than the outside air, and can cause the animal to freeze to death.
*Never shave your pets during winter. A longer coat will provide more warmth. If your pets are short-haired, consider getting them coats or sweaters with maximum coverage.
*Did you know that more dogs are reported lost during the winter than any other season? This is because dogs can lose their scent during colder weather and easily become lost. Be sure your dogs always wear proper identification and do not let them off of their leashes.
Do you have any additional cold weather tips to share? Be sure to leave them in the comments! And don’t hesitate to contact the Atlanta Humane Society with any questions and cold weather safety concern!
Author: Jaime Weinstein
) and we know that we don’t always cover what you want at the time you want it. Soooo, just ask and you shall receive! If it is a pet-related topic that we think would be valuable to our other readers, we will write about it! If not, we will still answer your questions to the best of our abilities personally.
