Monitor animals outside during extreme cold warning

Ully says indoor cats and dogs should not be outside for no more than five to ten minutes. Whereas, breeds like huskies, German shephards and Alaskan malamutes are made for the cold and can withstand the colder temperatures better.

“If they start lifting their feet or holding them in the air, that could be an indication that their paws are cold, skin turning like a blueish kind of grayish colour – that also could be a sign that they’re kind of stiff, not wanting to do much – so if you kind of notice any of those things, you need to bring your pet in immediately,” she said.

In addition, horses and livestock have a higher tolerance, but she advises keeping them inside a barn – away from the wind. A wall can be used as shelter to block the wind and blowing snow.

As for helping stray cats, she recommends setting out insulated tupperware bins, filled with hay and blankets. The bins should be elevated from the ground.

Lastly, Ully says it’s important that outdoor animals, including livestock and horses, be monitored.

She says if an animal is lying down and it hasn’t moved for some time, she recommends taking the animal to the vet for a check up.

It’s also important that owners avoid flash heating.

“You don’t want to heat them too fast because that can overcorrect what we’re trying to fix there – but nice and slow get them warm,” said Ully.

“One hundred per cent we would prefer you bring them in and there be nothing, then have something happen and not know about it.”

by Angela Kazmierczak

Monitor animals outside during extreme cold warning

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