As winter grips the city with its icy embrace, Animal Services has a message for pet owners. Take heed of the freezing temperatures and keep your animal companions out of the cold. With daily weather forecasts offering little respite, dogs, in particular, need special consideration. Breed, size, and age play a significant role in how well your canine can withstand the winter chill. Puppies, older dogs, and those with thinner coats are among the most vulnerable to cold weather effects.
Dogs aren't as equipped as humans to handle the cold, a reality that becomes more apparent during these frigid months. Alyssa Haden, Field Supervisor for Animal Services, urges pet owners to ensure their dogs have proper shelters if they are kept outside. "Shelters need to be properly insulated so it provides the warmth needed during the winter," Haden cautioned, as obtained by Arapahoe County. It's not just insulation, shelters also have to shield pets from wind, moisture, and even the sun, featuring a door flap opposite the wind's direction and sufficient space for dogs to comfortably stand and turn around.
The concern doesn't end with a sturdy shelter, it extends to the very water dogs drink. With temperatures plummeting, water sources can swiftly turn into hazardous ice. Haden noted the risk, saying, "Water can freeze quickly in winter, which leaves a pet with no access to water." To counter this, she recommends heated dog bowls, which should ideally be made of plastic to prevent a chilling scenario of a dog's tongue freezing to the bowl.
Beyond a warm shelter and liquid water, recognizing the signs of hypothermia in dogs is crucial. Symptoms like shivering, reluctance to move, or a tucked tail can be harbingers of serious cold exposure. In case your dog exhibits any of these worrisome signs, immediate action is needed: Bring them inside and consult a vet without delay. It's a matter of law as much as it is one of compassion, neglecting these responsibilities constitutes animal cruelty under Colorado law and could lead to fines or even jail time.
