"Of all possessions, a friend is the most precious."

- Heradotus

Snow, sleet, and freezing rain fall on Huskies and Chihuahuas alike. While some pets have more of an affinity for winter weather, extreme temperatures come with risks for all dogs and cats.

Before you and your companion head out into the frosty air, here are a few tips to help you enjoy the cold weather safely.

1. Be Aware of the Temperature

Owners with dogs in the Winter practicing pet safety

The saying “if you’re cold, they’re cold” is true — and then some.

Pets have a warmer healthier body temperature than humans (around 100.5-102.5°F for cats and 101-102.5°F for dogs). Despite their fur coats, mild hypothermia can begin to set in if their internal temperature dips below 99°F.

In general, pet parents should exercise caution anytime the forecast calls for temps below 45°F. There are many factors that can influence your pet’s individual cold tolerance, but be especially mindful of:

  • Small breeds
  • Pets with short hair
  • Older pets
  • Puppies and kittens
  • Pets with endocrine disorders, like diabetes

2. Bring Pets Inside

When the weather is harsh, pets belong inside

Raleigh, NC laws prohibit long-term tethering year-round, but the practice is especially dangerous in winter. Pets left to fend for themselves can suffer when their water bowl ices over or their bedding collects moisture and freezes overnight. Any night that you would consider too cold for camping is a night that your pets should spend indoors.

3. Protect Paws

Headed out for exercise or bathroom breaks? Much like you have to be mindful that sidewalks aren’t too hot for pets’ feet in the summer, cold temperatures can also cause injuries.

Snow, ice, and road salt can be very irritating to paws. Not all dogs will tolerate wearing booties, so it’s important to inspect feet for redness and open or flaky skin after walks. Trim the fur between your pet’s toes so that less snow and ice cling to their feet, and dry paws thoroughly when you get home to help them warm up.

4. Beware of Water on Winter Walks

It’s a pet parent’s worst nightmare: an excited dog runs out onto a frozen pond in pursuit of a bird or squirrel, and the ice can’t support their weight. Be cautious around bodies of water this winter, and keep pets leashed to prevent accidents.

 

Stray cats walking around in the snow in the Winter5. Check Your Vehicle Before Starting It

Outdoor cats in search of a warm place to sleep will sometimes crawl up into car engines. The results can be tragic when unsuspecting drivers turn the key.

Even if your cats are safely indoors, stray and feral animals may still be at risk. Knock on the hood or take a quick look inside before you head out for the day, and you may save a life.

 

6. Don’t Leave Pets Unattended in Cars

You’re probably well aware that it’s dangerous to leave pets in the car on hot days, but what about cold ones?

When temperatures are low, condensation inside your vehicle can cool rapidly, turning your car into a refrigerator. Though the interior may seem cozy at first, on freezing days, conditions are only a few minutes away from becoming dangerously cold.

7. Lock Up Antifreeze

Antifreeze is an important part of winter car maintenance, but even small amounts can be fatal to pets. An estimated 10,000-90,000 animals die from antifreeze poisoning each year.

Because it has a sweet taste, pets will seek out and consume antifreeze that isn’t properly stored. Lock it up or switch to nontoxic formulations.

Cats are naturally territorial creatures, so many pet parents assume their outdoor cat is hardwired to stick close to home. A recent GPS study that tracked the movements of 925 domestic outdoor cats revealed that our feline friends may be more adventurous than we thought, crossing busy streets with alarming frequency.

If you’re undecided on whether you feel comfortable letting your cat wander outside, check your local laws and ordinances. In Raleigh, North Carolina, “it is against the law for domesticated animals such as dogs and cats to run unrestrained within the City Limits.”

Roaming Cats in Raleigh, NCCat sitting in mulch in a park in Raleigh on a leash

Raleigh laws prohibit loose cats for the safety of the individual animal as well as the community and environment.

Wildlife Damage

Those unwanted “presents” of dead animals on your doorstep are more than just a nuisance. Each year, outdoor cats kill an estimated 1.3-4 billion birds and 6.3-22.3 billion small mammals. This level of predation in cats’ relatively small hunting territories can have severe impacts on local wildlife.

Domestic cats are not a natural part of these ecosystems and can devastate populations of songbirds, chipmunks, voles, and other small animals. Because of cats’ predatory instincts, sending them outdoors well-fed will not prevent them from hunting.

Health Risks

Every year, 5.4 million cats are hit by cars, and a devastating 97% of these accidents prove fatal. Outdoor cats have a much shorter life expectancy than their indoor-only counterparts. Aside from the risk of being struck by cars, these cats also face the possibility of:

  • Injuries from encounters with other outdoor cats, dogs, or wildlife
  • Parasite-born illnesses
  • Communicable diseases like FIV
  • Exposure to rabies

Overpopulation

Unwanted litters of kittens are a crisis in North Carolina, and shelters are often overwhelmed.

Even if you don’t let your pet out intentionally, unneutered male cats are more likely to seek out opportunities to escape the safety of your home. Getting your cat spayed or neutered doesn’t just prevent them from becoming lost or harmed while roaming the neighborhood — it’s a simple way to help protect your local cat community as a whole.

How to Find a Lost Cat

While it’s true that cats tend to wander within the (surprisingly large) area surrounding their home, a cat that is startled or frightened can easily venture too far and lose its way.

Microchipping is one of the best preventative measures pet parents can take to improve their odds of bringing their friend home if they go missing. If you suspect that your cat has slipped outside, try the following:

  1. Check around the outside of your home, looking under any porches, bushes, or other potential hiding spaces.
  2. Look in and around vehicles including the wheel wells and under the hood.
  3. Report your lost cat to your local shelter or humane society.
  4. Hang posters and alert your neighbors.
  5. Post on social media and neighborhood-based networking sites.
  6. Leave food and familiar toys and bedding outside your door — the scent can help guide a lost cat back home.

Check out wake.gov for more resources and tips on finding a lost cat in Raleigh.

Cat on a leash walking through grass in RaleighHow to Keep Your Cat Happy Indoors

If your cat is gazing longingly out the window, it doesn’t mean that they are being denied a fulfilling life indoors. Honor your cat’s natural instincts in a safe way by:

  • Engaging in play that simulates hunting
  • Providing places to climb and exercise claws
  • Offering window perches
  • Planting cat grass indoors
  • Ensuring that the litter box is clean and accessible
  • Try a leash and harness for outdoor walks

 

 

What About Feral Cats?

It’s important to keep your cat safe from cars and predators, but what about the thousands of feral cats facing these hazards every day?

Nonprofit organizations like Operation Catnip are working to aid Raleigh’s unhoused cat population through TNVR (trap, neuter, vaccinate, return) programs that reduce unwanted litters and transmittable diseases.

Learn more about volunteer opportunities here!

safe to give bones to dogs, dog treats, raleigh animal hospitalFamily meals, especially around the excess of holiday feasts and gatherings, are often tempting times to share the bones of your leftovers with your dog. But is that a good idea? Even if you aren’t sure, is your pup’s best begging face too much for you to bear?

The short answer: when in doubt, just stick to other healthy dog treats you are probably already cooking with. Bones can be dangerous.

The long answer: there are a few different things you must consider. Let’s look at bones as dog treats from a medical perspective.

Yes, Bones Have Nutritional Value

There’s a reason for the human diet trend lately of buying or making “bone broth”. Bones can provide some minerals and other nutrients. The caveat, is that cooking reduces that anyway, so you probably aren’t sharing as much nutrition with your dog as you think. Add to that the fact that cooked bones are risky business anyway.

Cooked Bones Are Dangerous

You might end up rushing your dog into emergency surgery because of this. Cooked bones of any kind are far more likely to splinter and break as they are chewed than raw bones. This is extremely dangerous. Bone shards can injure the mouth, throat, stomach, and/or intestines. They can become stuck which quickly escalates into a life-threatening situation, not to mention a painful one.

Poultry and pork bones are especially dangerous because of splintering. Steer clear of these completely. There is no safe poultry or pork bone that you can share with your pet.

What About Raw Bones?

Raw bones are both more nutritious and less likely to splinter, depending on the type of bone. The only kinds of raw bones that are generally considered to be safe from splintering are beef and lamb.

But, again, the caveats:

Keep in mind that raw animal products bear an increased risk of bacteria like salmonella causing illness.

Also, never give a dog any bone that is small enough to swallow. Many dogs will surprise you with what they seem to find an appropriate size of item to swallow, so it’s up to you to make that call regardless of the type of treat you are giving them. Bones must be large enough that there is no risk of this.

A Final Bit of Advice

Keep an eye on your dog anytime they are given a chew treat. Dogs can choke, just like people can.