Houston County veterinarian explains how owners can prevent their pets from getting hypothermia and frostbite during cold weather.
HOUSTON COUNTY, Ga. — Cold temperatures can turn backyards into deadly traps for pets left outside.
Last year, over 40 animals froze to death nationwide and over 500 were rescued, according to the organization PETA. Hypothermia doesn’t spare house pets either; even indoor dogs and cats risk frostbite or worse without simple safeguards.
“It’s too cold for me to be out there. It’s too cold for them to be out there,” said Wendy Minton.
Fur does not protect them from Mother Nature, and Minton knows that all too well. She has volunteered at the Houston County Humane Society for six years and says they see animal cruelty cases all the time in the winter, but she hopes things will be different this weekend.
“You won’t have that outdoor animal if it gets too cold,” said Minton. “He will pass away from hypothermia. You must take steps to protect these animals. If you love your dogs and cats, please bring them in. If you can’t bring them in, do whatever you can to protect them.”
Veterinarian Vernard Hodges says cats and dogs have a normal body temperature over a hundred degrees. Anything under that is a sign they are too cold and need to be brought inside.
“When you think the temperatures can be below 20 degrees, if you can, we definitely recommend you bring your pets inside. Even in the 30s, it’s probably pretty uncomfortable for them,” Hodges said.
Hodges says owners tend to forget about paws.
“We really worry about paws and hypothermia, no different than our fingers when they get cold. To protect against the irritants you can put a little bit of pet balm or even petroleum jelly in between the paws and it helps protect them. Booties work well, as well,” Hodges said.
Hodges says these precautions keep ice from getting between their toes and causing frostbite. He says anti-freeze and salt can be fatal to your pet if digested.
Hodges also advises on helping strays: Put out extra food because cold weather makes them burn more calories, and put out straw. Straw does not hold moisture like a blanket would.
