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Friday, February 04, 2011
Weather frightful for pets, too
Journal Staff Report
Yes, it's going to be somewhat warmer today, but tonight's temperatures are expected to dive into the teens again — so stay aware that exposure to cold can hurt, even kill, your pets.
A warning issued by the city's Animal Welfare Department cautions pet owners to not leave their animals out overnight. It noted the below-zero forecasts, but wind chill is important too. Tonight, according to the National Weather Service, wind chill could be as low as 3 below zero.
Leaving a pet outdoors in extreme weather can lead to frostbite, which can result in permanent tissue damage, and hypothermia, which can kill.
A good rule of thumb, says veterinarian Dr. Erin Price-Clarke in a city news release, is "if the weather feels cold to you, then it feels cold to your pet."
Advice from the city includes:
• Keep cats inside. Outdoors, they can freeze, become lost, injured or killed.
• If there are outdoor cats in your area, they might seek shelter under the hoods of cars. Bang on the hood to give the cat a chance to escape before starting the engine.
• Dogs with a lot of fur might be comfortable outside for a short time, but smaller short-haired dogs get cold fast, even when it's a little warmer.
• Dog houses that provide shelter from the wind and have enough bedding might keep some larger dogs safe — for a time.
The city adds that any pet owner who "chronically leaves a pet unprotected in frigid temperatures can also be cited for cruelty to animals, which can become a felony if state law is applied."
Meanwhile, Animal Protection of New Mexico offers suggestions on how to help outdoor animals such as horses:
• Monitor animals in need every hour or two to make sure water is available.
• Provide blankets, straw or other insulating materials.
• Use horse blankets.
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