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Puppy, It's Cold Outside
Is Your Pet Ready for Winter Weather?
By Alex Powell
Karen Ray, from southeastern Oklahoma, begins preparing her outside dogs for the winter by filling their houses with bedding, usually clean hay, and then placing the shelters with their back to the north. Food and water bowls are also placed in an area protected from wind, Ray says. On cold nights, the dogs – a black mouth cur, a beagle and a mixed breed cow dog – often invite the Rays' cats into their shelters for extra warmth.
According to Dr. Brum, these kinds of winter preparations are essential for outside animals. Shelters should be small and cozy, so that your dog's body heat can warm the environment. Like the Rays, you should fill the shelter with a warm, dry bedding material and place the shelter and the animal's food and water bowls out of the path of the wind.
Occasionally, temperatures drop so low that it is safest for all pets to be inside. Dr. Peck advises all animals be brought indoors once the wind-chill reaches 0 degrees Fahrenheit, regardless of the type of animal or if it is used to being outside. "We even worry about livestock in those kinds of temperatures," she says.
Winter weather can bring other safety concerns. Be very cautious when changing the antifreeze in your car. Antifreeze contains a substance called ethylene glycol. It's naturally sweet, Dr. Peck says, and its scent appeals to dogs and cats. But only a few licks can be toxic, sending your pet into renal failure. Worst of all, Dr. Peck says, small children are often attracted to antifreeze as well. Be absolutely sure that no antifreeze is left on your driveway and that it is disposed of properly. A less toxic form of antifreeze, made with propylene glycol instead of ethylene glycol, is available and may be a safer alternative.