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How to keep your furry friend safe in the winter

Barbara Blake
Dec. 29, 2008

Winter may be a wonderland for humans who are energized by cold
temperatures and snow-related sports. But their pets may not be nearly
as fond of the brisk breezes and frozen slush that the winter months
frequently serve up in the mountains.

Pets, both those who live outdoors year-round and those who live indoors
but need outdoor exercise, require special attention when the
temperature drops. Failure to take the proper precautions to ensure
their warmth and safety can lead to injury, illness or even death.

While there is nothing specific on the topic of temperature in the
current ordinances, Lt. Helen Hall of the Buncombe County Sheriff's
Office's Animal Control Division has some ideas for change.

"I would like to see the ordinance be more specific on what constitutes
cruelty as it pertains to cold weather and animals. I do not want to
make the wording so tight that a husky cannot be outside for a period of
time when he might love the cold - nor do I want the ordinance to be so
lax that an animal is cold, huddled outside in a bare dog house or under
the porch with the wind blowing over him."

Shelly A. Moore, president and CEO of the Asheville Humane Society, and
Dr. Betsy Thompson, a veterinarian at the Animal Hospital of North
Asheville, offered some tips to ensure that furry companions survive the
winter happily and healthily.

Doghouses should have at least three sides, a floor and a roof made of a
durable and insulated material that allows a pet to maintain its body
heat, Moore said. They should be large enough to allow the animal to
turn around, lie down and stretch comfortably, and should keep out rain,
sleet and snow. "But they should be small enough for the animal to heat
it with its own body heat," she said.

Doghouses should have nonabsorbent bedding such as straw to help the
animals stay warm; blankets can get wet and freeze, Moore said. Houses
also should have a wind break or flap on the opening to protect against
wind chill in extreme weather.

Outdoor cats should have a small crate or box in a sheltered place away
from the wind, lined with straw, warm blankets or a cat bed. If the area
is too large, it will not provide proper insulation, and the cat can get
frostbite on tails and tips of ears in severely cold weather.

Water in bowls outside can freeze quickly. "Your pet is just as likely
to get dehydrated in winter as in summer, and snow is not a substitute
for water," Moore said. "Avoid stainless steel or metal bowls, and wider
and deeper is better than narrow and shallow," she said.

"An elderly pet that normally copes well even though he has reduced
kidney function may experience renal failure if his water source is
frozen for even a short period and his fluid intake is reduced,"
Thompson said.

Moore suggested getting an old tire without a rim and stuffing it with
rocks. "Wedge a container in the hole and put the water in there; the
black tire will absorb the light from the sun and heat the rocks, which
will radiate warmth to keep the water from freezing."

Outdoor dogs like huskies typically don't need a sweater because their
coats are heavier.

"But dogs that stay inside may need to wear a protective sweater when
going outside during very cold weather, since they are accustomed to the
warmth inside," Moore said. "If you have a short-coated pet, a sweater
can help keep them warm when they venture out."

Likewise, booties can help keep a dog's feet warm and prevent ice from
collecting between their toes and protect them from ice-melt products,
Moore said.

"If you don't use booties, you should keep the hair between your dog's
toes trimmed to prevent ice from forming," she said. "Snow collecting
between the toes of cats and dogs can be very painful, and if large
enough, can obstruct blood flow to the toes."

"The obvious problems that we see in our practice are pets that have
consumed antifreeze (searching for liquid when their water bowls
freeze), pets that have ventured out onto a frozen lake or pool and
fallen through the ice, pets who have slipped or fallen on ice and
injured themselves, and cats that have been injured due to getting into
the engine of a car to stay warm," Thompson said.

Moore said outdoor cats sometimes sleep under the hoods of cars to be
near the heat of the engine.

"When the motor is started, the cat can be injured or killed by the fan
belt," she said. "Bang loudly on the hood or blow the horn before
starting the engine to allow it to escape."

Many ice-melting products are toxic, Moore said. "Wipe off your dog's
legs and stomach when he comes in from sleet, snow or ice. He can ingest
salt, antifreeze or other potentially dangerous chemicals while licking
his paws. If you know your pet is going to come in contact with ice
melts, you can spray the bottom of their feet with nonstick cooking
spray or put booties on their feet," she said.

Thompson said arthritic pets suffer more during cold weather and may
need additional treatment.

"The important point is that cold is a stress on the body, and stress
exacerbates other health problems," she said. "Having your pet examined
by your veterinarian at least once a year is very valuable in
recognizing such problems. The more you protect your pet from cold, the
less stress he or she will experience. The young, old and infirm are the
least likely to tolerate stress of any kind and must be afforded
protection."

"Pets who are outside in cold weather will need extra calories to keep
warm," Moore said. "When the temperature is below freezing, you may need
to increase calories by as much as 30 percent."

Shivering is a sign your pet is too cold and indicates the start of
hypothermia, she said. "A shivering pet should be slowly warmed until
signs of hypothermia are gone."

Never leave a dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather. The car can
act as a refrigerator, and the animal can freeze to death, Moore said.

Even brief exposure to subzero temperatures can lead to frostbite of the
feet, nose or ears; frostbitten skin appears red, gray or whitish and
may peel off, she said.

"Prevent frostbite by removing ice and snow from paws and fur right
away," Moore said. "If you suspect frostbite, take your pet to a warm
place and thaw out frostbitten areas slowly by applying warm, moist
towels and change them frequently. Continue until the affected areas
become flushed, then contact a veterinarian for further care."

Finally, Thompson said, pet owners "should never let their pets stay
outside for unlimited amounts of time in freezing cold weather. Pets
desperately want our companionship, and even if it is not cold, they
love to be inside with us."

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