Keep household pets from freezing

Frostbite and Hypothermia are two of the biggest risks outdoor pets face during the winter months. It’s an unfortunate fact that Veterinarian Dr. Michael Peters has encountered throughout his career.

Dr. Michael Peters, Johnson-Mc Kee Animal Hospital says, “If it’s going to get down close to freezing these animals need to be inside. Under any circumstances they need to be protected from the wind because wind chill is the real killer.”

When animals are outside they can also get wet, combine that with heavy eastern shore winds and it can put their bodies into shock.

However, when animals do have to be outside those silly looking pet sweaters can actually be a world of help along with a proper place to stay, for instance a dog house for canines.  

Dr. Peters goes on, “It should be up off the ground, ventilation should not be allowed under the house, but there should be ventilation in the house so that the humidity doesn’t come back on the dog.”

Dr. Peters says in many ways pets are just like people. For example, it takes calories to stay warm and your pet’s diet should be a bit more robust in winter.
 
However, Dr. Peters says not to go overboard, “Don’t go pouring bacon grease on the food, that’s an old one.”

Doctors say owners should increase the volume of what the pet normally eats. A Change in behavior, becoming lethargic, not responding when you call, and not wanting to play when they usually do are all hallmark warning signs of distress in an animal, particularly with the cold.