Pet owners are being urged to protect their animals, including dogs and carts, as an Arctic blast weather front moves throughout the northern U.S. and the Midwestern states.
The Weather Channelreleased four key tips to protect pets as an unusual cold front settles over multiple U.S. states in December. “Deep freeze,” the Weather Channel’s home page warned on December 7. “An arctic blast will accompany a barrage of clipper systems, plunging temperatures for millions. Here’s how cold it could get,” it says. And that can be dangerous for pets as well as human beings.
The Tips to Protect Pets From Cold Weather Include a Warning About Rock Salt
Dress your dog “appropriately for the winter,” the Weather Channel advises. “That can mean waterproof paw booties and insulated jackets in freezing temperatures.”
- The Weather Channel also suggests, “Don’t spend more than 30 minutes outside in below freezing temperature, even if your dog is having fun.”
- The “most dangerous risk” might be an element that some people overlook, according to The Weather Channel: Rock salt. “When ingested, it can be fatal for dogs. Be sure to dry them off when they come inside too.”
In addition to those four tips, the Associated Press has some suggestions for pet owners too. They include “buying weather-resistant accessories, and stocking up on extra supplies in case of power outages or storms.”
(Photo by Wojtek RADWANSKI / AFP via Getty Images)
“The best time to prepare for weather is before you have that weather,” said Dr. Michael Bailey, president of the American Veterinary Medical Association to the AP. “The same thing you would do for children in your house, do for your pet.”
Pet Owners Are Advised to Clean Up Anitfreeze & to Not Assume That Fur Adequately Protects Animals From the Cold
Another expert told AP that some people erroneously think animals’ fur protects them from the bitter cold. “When you think of dogs, you think, well, they already have a fur coat, so they should be fine in the cold, but that isn’t necessarily true,” said Amy Hrin, with the American Humane Society, to AP, which added, “It depends on the breed, size and age of the pet, and also temperature and wind chill.”
The State of Wisconsin sees a lot of frigid weather and the Department of Agriculture, Trade and Consumer Protection has tips for pet owners too. “Clean up antifreeze,” the site advises. “Leaked or spilled antifreeze (ethylene glycol) is a deadly lure to animals with its sweet taste. Clean it up and, if possible, switch to a less dangerous formulation like propylene glycol.”
The Department also suggests: “Rub petroleum jelly on your pets’ paws before heading out for a walk. It protects them from salt and other de-icers. When you return home, wipe the paws, legs and stomach to remove any de-icers or antifreeze that the animal might ingest.”
People are also advised to check for animals that might crawl into cars. “Cats can crawl under cars and into the engine compartment seeking shelter and warmth. Bang on the hood before starting your car on cold days to startle sleeping animals,” the page advises. “Even indoor animals needs a warm place to sleep, off the floor and away from drafts. This is especially true for old or ill animals.”
Related: Extreme Winter Cold Set to Hit 15 U.S. States on Dec. 8
