SPCA of Texas Advises Cold Weather Safety for Pets

DALLAS, TEXAS — With sub-freezing temperatures predicted for North Texas in the next few days, the SPCA of Texas advises the following to protect pets from harsh outdoor conditions.

• Freezing temperatures can be dangerous and even deadly for companion animals, so it is best to keep your pet indoors as much as possible. A good rule of thumb is that if you are cold outside, your pet will be, too. Wet and cold weather can lead to hypothermia or pneumonia in animals. Be especially cautious with very young or very old animals, because they are more susceptible to suffering medical issues due to the cold.
• Limit outside time to quick walks or bathroom breaks, and consider providing your pet with a pet sweater and booties to protect their paws from ice and/or snow. Avoid pavement and walk on grass when possible.
• The SPCA of Texas never recommends leaving pets outside full time; however, if pets must stay outside for extended periods of time, always weatherproof their living quarters. The shelter must be covered, dry, insulated, filled with straw or other bedding (not blankets or towels as wet fabric can freeze) and should retain heat. It should also be made up of three sides, a roof and a floor. The house should be elevated and the entrance pointed away from wind. It is against the law in the state of Texas to leave your pet outdoors in extreme temperatures without appropriate shelter.
• Monitor the time your pets spend outdoors and be sure they always have fresh water that is not frozen, in a non-metal bowl to drink. Outdoor dogs need more calories in the winter to produce body heat, so increase the amount you feed your pets if they stay outdoors for long periods of time.
• Pet owners often innocently assume their pets can withstand the cold weather with the aid of their thick coats; however, this is not always the case. Indoor dogs shed their undercoats and should never be made to stay outside for extended periods of time. Never shave your pets down to the skin in the winter; leave their coats long for more warmth. And when you bathe your pets, completely dry their coats before letting them go outdoors.
• Salt, antifreeze and other chemicals could hurt your pets if they ingest them while licking their paws, so be sure to wipe your pets’ paws and legs clean with a wet cloth after an outing. Chemicals used to melt snow and ice can irritate paws and could potentially lead to frostbite, cuts or cracks.
• Before starting your car, check to make sure there are no animals hiding in the exhaust pipe or under your tires. Cats and small animals may seek shelter near or under your car so be sure to look carefully and honk the horn before turning on the engine.
• Never leave your dog or cat alone in a car during cold weather. A car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold, and the animal could freeze to death.

To learn more about how you can report suspected animal cruelty, visit our Animal Cruelty Investigations info page.

About SPCA of Texas
Founded in 1938, the SPCA of Texas is a 501(c)(3) non-profit animal welfare organization that operates two shelters, one spay/neuter clinic, one mobile adoptions vehicle and an animal rescue center, all located in Dallas County, and maintains a team of animal cruelty investigators who rescue hundreds of animals from cruelty each year in North Texas counties. Moreover, the SPCA of Texas serves as an active resource center for an array of services that bring people and animals together to enrich each other’s lives.

The SPCA of Texas is not affiliated with any other entity and does not receive general operating funds from the City of Dallas, State of Texas, federal government or any other national humane organization. SPCA of Texas is dedicated to creating a brighter future for animals, people, and the community. To learn more about the SPCA of Texas, visit spca.org.