Winter weather—make sure your pets are safe and warm

We know how important staying warm is during weather like we are experiencing right now in the Huntsville area. But we need to also consider the importance of keeping our pets warm and safe during this weather event.

Huntsville Animal Services issued a statement over the weekend in anticipation of this week’s freezing weather, reminding us to keep our four-legged family members warm.

Cold weather tips for your pets

Make sure you care for your pets during these freezing temperatures. (Michael Seale/Hville Blast)

Cold weather and snow might seem like they don’t bother your animals, but they are just as susceptible to cold weather dangers as we are.

“A good rule of thumb is that if it’s too cold for us, it’s too cold for pets outside. Pets need to come inside during weather at freezing temperatures. It’s also important for pet owners to remember that thin-body conditioned, geriatric, ill, or thin-coated dogs may not handle the temperatures as well.”
Dr. Melissa Horne, Animal Shelter and Medical Services Manager

If bringing your pet indoors is not an option, Animal Services has some tips to help your pet deal with the cold weather outdoors:

Adding straw, hay or woodchips to doghouses can help suppress the cold weather.
Blankets could also be an option.
Consider a warming lamp that would give off heat but nothing that would be flammable.
Bring pets inside for a few minutes to warm up before they go back outside.
Dressing pets in coats or sweaters would also help alleviate some of the cold.
Even as precautions are taken to help pets stave off the cold, pet owners should still make a point of checking on them throughout the cold spell. Check for signs of frostbite or hypothermia or other signs of distress.

The freezing temps will last through the week

[6:16 AM] Dangerously cold temperatures will persist through much of the week, but the coldest will be between now and tomorrow morning. Please bundle up if headed outdoors and take steps to protect people, pets, plants, and pipes! #HUNwx pic.twitter.com/SXCq5r5f3e
— NWS Huntsville (@NWSHuntsville) January 16, 2024

Temperatures, according to the National Weather Service in Huntsville, will get above freezing briefly Thursday, but the rest of the week is supposed to remain freezing, with lows in the single digits at night for the remainder of the week.

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