Columbus Animal Care Services (CACS) is urging pet owners to protect their pets from the severe inclement weather we are anticipating later this week.

Domesticated pets, especially short-haired breeds, do not have the same protection as wild animals do against severe cold. They require additional care and proper shelter whenever they are outside.

Outdoor Pets:
1) Provide adequate shelter and drinkable water for all outdoor pets, including extra food.
2) Check water bowls for freezing.  In extremely cold temperatures, they can freeze very quickly.  If an animal can’t find clean drinking water, they are more likely to drink out of puddles of antifreeze or other toxic chemicals.
3) Dog houses should keep a dog dry and help to maintain body heat. The house should only be large enough for him to turn aroundinside and not much bigger.    The house should be half-filled with straw for bedding and insulation.  Face the opening of the dog house to the south and nail heavy plastic or cloth strips over the door to keep the wind outside and body heat inside.  Straw is MUCH better than blankets as the straw allows the animal to burrow down for extra warmth, while blankets can get wet and freeze.
4) CACS recommends that outside dogs are brought into a house or garage when temperatures are below 20 degrees.
5) Be sure to check under the hood of your car or knock on the hood before starting the engine.

General Care:
1) When letting your inside dog out, remember to make the outings brief.
2) If you or your neighbors have cats who stay outside in order to make sure the cat is not napping near your warm car engine.  This gives the cat a chance to escape before turning on the car.
3) When walking your dog, be sure to wipe their paws after the walk. Salt from sidewalks can make paw pads sensitive and upset their digestive tract when they lick their paws.