Protect Your Pet From Freezing Cold

With the Polar Vortex giving us subzero temperatures and biting wind chill, our furry friends will also need protection despite having warm fur.

Here are some tips on how to protect your pets:

1. Keep your pets indoors during the freezing months specially with this kind of subzero temperatures.

2. If you don't have a choice and your pet will need to stay outside, provide your pet with a warm draft free and waterproof shelter to sleep in. Straw bales or cedar shavings are good insulation for the floor and waterproof burlap or heavy plastic for the door.

3. Check your pet’s water several times per day to make sure that it has not frozen over. Animals need more food during the winter to generate extra heat for warmth.

4. Pet owners are advised to contact a veterinarian if it appears your pet has gotten frostbite or hypothermia.

Frostbite will cause a pale, gray skin or skin that is cold and hard, as well as tissue that appears red when it thaws.

Hypothermia is described as violent shivering and slow and shallow breathing.

5. During winter antifreeze chemical spill are common from a vehicle's radiator. Pets are attracted to it, because they like the taste and smell of it but it is extremely deadly to our pets. If your pets seems drunk or is convulsing take him to the vet immediately.

6. Salt like calcium or sodium chloride are use on sidewalks and roads to melt ice and snow and keep it from refreezing however, it is harsh on our pet's paws. If you will walk your pet make sure to put boots on his paws.