The cold snap that arrived last week dropped temperatures into the 20s at night, a situation that can make it not just unpleasant but dangerous for animals.
Bill Davidson, Lake County Animal Care and Control’s interim director, said the agency has been inundated with calls from concerned individuals reporting people leaving dogs outside at night in freezing temperatures with nothing but a dog house to protect them.
As a result of such cold weather woes, Davidson said it was time to remind people to “weatherproof” their pets.
He said that during most of the year in Lake County animals that live outside can handle weather changes without much trouble.
However, when there are extreme weather changes – either heat in the summer or the recent freezing conditions – pets need extra help, Davidson said.
The recent cold snap caused the thermometer to hit the low 20s, and temperatures are even lower if wind chill factor is counted, Davidson said.
As such, he said that smaller, younger, older or sick pets shouldn’t be left out in such weather.
Davidson suggested setting up a warm place with dry blankets for pets in the garage or, better yet, the house.
For larger animals, such as horses and cattle, that must stay outside, Davidson said to make sure they have adequate shelter to protect them from the elements.
If dogs must be kept outside, Davidson suggested positioning kennels or dog houses on the wind-free side of the house or barn, and making sure the opening is close to and facing the building itself, so wind cannot directly go into the kennel or dog house.
Outdoor kennels or dog houses should be filled with dry blankets, or lots of straw or shavings from the pet store, Davidson said, adding that such bedding should be checked daily.
Keeping bedding dry is crucial, as Davidson said having animals sleep on wet bedding will make them more prone to hypothermia.
In addition to Davidson’s advice, the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) and Humane Society of the United States (HSUS) suggest a number of other precautions.
Outdoor dog houses must be large enough to allow the dog to sit and lie down comfortably, but small enough to hold the animal’s body heat, the HSUS said. The floor should be raised a few inches off the ground.
Regarding cats, the organizations said felines should be kept indoors during winter, as they can freeze, be lost or stolen, injured or killed, or even exposed to infectious diseases like rabies if left out in such conditions.
Cats that remain outdoors during winter tend to sleep under the hoods of vehicles, which can lead to injury or death when the vehicle is started. To prevent harm to the animals, bang loudly on the vehicle hood before starting the engine.
When taking dogs outdoors during winter weather, the groups urge owners not to take their canines off leash in snow or ice, and especially not during snowstorms, as dogs can lose their scent and easily become lost.
Because more dogs are lost during the winter than during any other season, it’s especially important to make sure yours always wears identification tags, according to the ASPCA’s guidelines.
To keep dogs safe and sound, wipe off their legs and stomach when they comes in out of snow, ice or sleet, since salt, antifreeze and other potentially dangerous chemicals can be ingested by dogs when they lick their paws, which also can bleed from snow or ice, the groups said.
While antifreeze is lethal for pets, it has a sweet taste that attracts them. As such, both organizations’ list of tips for winter pet health include cleaning up any antifreeze spills from vehicles. Another alternative is using antifreeze-coolant made with propylene glycol which, if swallowed in small amounts, will not hurt pets, wildlife or people.
The ASPCA also urges animal lovers not to leave animals alone in cars during winter weather. While a car can be like an oven in hot summer weather, cold weather can make it like a refrigerator, leading to the potential of animals freezing to death if left too long inside cars or trucks.
The HSUS said that pets that remain outdoors in winter need more food because the process of keeping warm depletes energy. Plastic food and water bowls are suggested to keep pets’ tongues from sticking to metal bowls.
Regarding wildlife, the HSUS said you can help wild animals in winter in a variety of ways.
Among them: In your garden, leave dead stalks, leaves and seedheads standing to feed wildlife and provide cover. Small brush piles also can provide a safe haven for ground-nesting birds, chipmunks, rabbits, and hibernating reptiles, amphibians and insects.
Water – including birdbaths and artificial ponds that are kept ice-free – also can help your wild neighbors during winter time, the HSUS said.
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