Chilly winds and icy sidewalks can be especially tough on pets, and local veterinarians say a few simple steps can help keep animals safe and comfortable as temperatures drop.
In Fayetteville, one pet daycare owner says the approaching storm has led to an increase in business as owners try to give their dogs one last chance to burn off energy before being stuck indoors.
At The Urban Dog daycare, excitement filled the room as dogs barked and played ahead of the expected snowfall.
"It's really good for them to get to play with other dogs. it really gives us the chance to, like get dogs, to introduce the dogs that we know their temperament really well, but it helps them a lot. And not only are they being socialized with other dogs and they're also interacting with the staff so they get more comfortable being socialized with people," said Cristena Piltz, co-owner of The Urban Dog.
Piltz said the winter storm has brought in new customers, with pet owners eager to tire out their dogs before being snowed in.
"They want to get them burnt out. They love that they go home exhausted. This is normally our slow season. Boarding has slowed down a little bit from the holidays, but we've been getting around like 30 daycare a day this week," Piltz said.
Once the storm arrives, veterinarians say outdoor play should take a back seat to safety. "We're not used to this kind of weather in North Carolina. So of course, our pets are not. They do have fur and hair, but the weather's going to be a lot colder than normal. So you do want to make sure that you bundle them up," said Dr. Stephanie Cawthorn, chief veterinarian at Ambassador Animal Hospital.
Remember to:
- Keep walks short
- Watch out for salt melt that can irritate paws and be toxic if pets ingest it
- Keep pets away from space heaters and exposed cords
"So when you take your pets outside, ideally try to concentrate on areas that aren't going to have salt down to melt the ice, since that is toxic to pets if they ingest it. It can also burn their paw pads. So you want to avoid that. If you have boots like snow boots or rubber boots, and they let you put them on, that's ideal. If not, you want to spend a short amount of time outside," Cawthorn said.
She also recommends having enough supplies to last through potential power outages.
"You want to have enough food to make it through the storm. Be prepared for several days of power outages that come with the icy weather, and make sure that you have enough medication to make it through," Cawthorn said.
Cawthorn also warns drivers to check their vehicles before starting them.
"You may have stray cats, feral cats, wildlife getting in your car so you should blow the horn, knock on the hood before you start," she said.
What to pack in your pet safety kit?
- Vaccination records
- Microchip information
- Saline, gauze pads, disinfectant
- Treats
SEE ALSO | How to prepare a winter weather safety kit for the season