2005_01_16_archive

Cold Weather fur facts DC While the US east coast is bracing for a

winter storm which is expected to drop up to 8 inches of snow this

weekend, pet owners are warned to bring their pets inside. Many owners

do not do so because they believe these common myths:

Myth: Dogs and cats can fend for themselves in winter weather. Nothing

could be further from the truth. The sad fact is that during winter

many animal shelters are forced to euthanize cats suffering from

irreparable frost bite of their ears and noses. [Chilling not healthy

for pets, Journal World]

'The skin on an animal can freeze in as little as 20 minutes in

sub-zero temperatures, according to local veterinarians and

animal-care experts.

Veterinarians at the North Shore Animal Hospital on Neptune

Boulevard in Lynn said animals should not be outside for more than

10 minutes in temperatures below 20 degrees...' [Fur Factor, Daily

Item of Lynn]

Myth: Long-haired dogs can be left safely outside in frigid weather.

Truth: even a heavy coated dog can freeze to death, especially if its

coat gets wet. If the dog doesn't freeze to death, it can sustain

frostbite and suffer if it has pre-existing arthritis. 'No pet should

be left outside in temperatures below 40 degrees. Short-coated breeds

and small dogs should be supplemented with a coat or a sweater.

Outdoor breeds such as huskies and malamutes need warm shelter from

the wind and cold as well as a source of unfrozen water...' [Cold

weather related illness and your pet, Telegraph Online]

Myth: dogs don't need water outside and can be fed water only at

night. While it's true that water freezes quickly in 20 degree

weather, that doesn't mean animals don't require it. Dogs and cats

become more easily dehydrated in frigid weather. "Any dogs left out in

this winter should have food and water and a shelter that keeps them

dry. Water is difficult to supply to outside animals in the cold

weather. A special effort has to be made to make sure it is at least

available three times a day." [Wild weather brings warnings, Beloit

Daily News]

Myth: dogs and cats can stay warm and alone in a car during cold

weather. If the car's heater is running, yes... but it wouldn't be

safe to leave the car running with animals alone in it. Cars become

virtual freezers in freezing weather. [Pets and animals in distress, ]

Truth: extreme weather requires extra precautions with pets, even

so-called outdoor pets. "This is extreme. This isn't normal. We just

have to take the measures, for animals that stay outside, to make them

comfortable..." Vicki Davis, executive director of the Tri-County

Humane Society [Low temperatures pose dangers for pets, St. Cloud

Times]

Myth: someone else will take care of that freezing pet you spotted

outside. It's not your problem and it's okay to ignore an animal who

can't speak for itself. If you see a pet freezing in the cold, ask its