How Cold is too Cold?

Keeping your pets safe during the winter.

'Tis the season for Huskies, Maine Coons, and snowbirds to thrive! It's also the season for winter paw-shinistas to strut the catwalk with their boots with the fur. It's burrr degrees, and not all fur is created equal for such weather. So, how cold is too cold for your pets?

The answer is simple. If you're cold, so is your pet; however, we know our extra fluffy kiddos can withstand colder weather better than their furry-less parents. As a rule of the toe bean, temperatures below 45 degrees F are considered too cold for most pets, especially small babies, short-haired pets, the elderly, and kids with health ailments. It is typically recommended that no pet be left outside when temperatures are at or below 32 degrees F. 

The average internal temperature of our pups ranges between 101 and 102.5 degrees F, while cats can range from 99.5 to 102.5 degrees F; therefore, if their temperature drops below 99 degrees F, they are at risk for hypothermia.  

Whether you keep your pets indoors or outdoors, you can take warm and fuzzy steps to keep your pets safe during winter.

Keep them warm indoors!

• If possible, bring your pets indoors! It's fine. That's why we call it FUR-niture!

• Dress them in insulated winter coats and water-resistant booties/shoes during outdoor potty breaks and walks.

• Walks should be short once the temperature dips below 32 degrees F. Use self-warming pads indoors.

• The pads reflect the pet's body heat back, conserving that warmth. No external power is required!

Protect their toe beans and snoots!

• Wear booties when walking outside. This will prevent your pets from stepping in antifreeze or salts that are highly toxic if ingested (such as licking their paws) and can damage or injure their paw pads.

• Trim down the paw fur so they don't get wet and freeze!

• Use nose and paw pad moisturizers to keep them from cracking and chapping.

Feed them a little extra.

Our pets will burn more calories to keep warm, so a little extra will not harm their winter body build-up. When temperatures change, just go back to normal to prepare for their beach bod in the summer. Check their water source periodically to ensure it's not frozen!

For our outdoor pets.

For our kiddos who are determined to be buried in the snow, a warm and dry shelter is essential to protect them from the elements. We recommend a well-insulated shelter raised off the ground in a draft-free area with warm and dry bedding. Never use towels or blankets on the ground; they absorb moisture and can freeze your pets! Instead, use pine straw.

Watch for signs of discomfort like shivering, lethargy, whining, or seeking warm places to burrow. 

And for fur's sake, don't shave your pets! They need the extra layer of fluff to keep warm!