Don’t Forget The Pet During Cold Weather

If it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for your pets.

That according to White County Animal Shelter Director Stephanie Smith. She said outdoor pets needs special attention during this brief cold spell.

“I do know that not all dogs can be indoor dogs. The best thing to do would be to fill their doghouse full of straw,” Smith said. “If they’re in a 10 by 10 pin or something like that, wrap it up in tarp to block the wind. I don’t recommend using blankets because if they get wet they freeze and it defeats the purpose.”

The temperature will only reach 30-degrees Tuesday with wind chills in the teens. Tuesday night temperatures will drop to about 15-degrees.

Smith said she began preparing for the cold last weekend by placing canvas tarps on all of the outdoor pins at the shelter.

“We’re able to use the infrared heaters that sit above the igloo doghouses,” Smith said. “That seems to keep our outside dogs warm.”

Smith also recommends providing extra food to outdoor pets as they use more energy to keep warm during the cold.

“We mix dry food and some extra canned food for the dogs that have to be outside,” Smith said. “That ups their calories and can help keep them warmer.”

The good news is that daytime temperatures will jump back up to near 50-degrees on Wednesday and Thursday.