Lincoln vet offers cold weather tips to keep pets safe

With winter bearing down and frigid temperatures expected in the coming days you’ll need to worry about keeping yourself and your pet warm.

Just like humans, pets can suffer from hypothermia and frost bite if they’re left outside for too long.

“Extremities on the pets their ears, their tails can get frozen in really just a matter of seconds when we’re talking about the wind chill values that we’re experiencing now,” Doctor Tony Moravec, a vet at Driftwood Vet, said. 

Doctor Tony said with cold temperatures and windchill values well below zero limiting your pets time outside is the best way to prevent frostbite.

Short hair dogs like boxers and beagles can get frost bite even quicker than hairier dogs due to their exposed skin.

If you’re worried your pet might be suffering from the cold, here’s some symptoms to be on the lookout for.

“Painful to the touch on the ear tips, painful to the touch on the tail, on the foot pads, limping, gimping, could be signs of frostbite especially with history of exposure.”

If your pet exhibits any of these symptoms call your vet immediately.

If the cold and snow aren’t stopping you from walking your dog, snow and salt can be harmful as well.

Snow can buildup between their paw pads and if ingested salt can make them extremely sick.

“The booties can help with exposure to ice and snow and really developing ice pellets that form between the toes on the paw pads.”

While your dog might not be the biggest fan of booties their paws will be kept warm and dry.

You can purchase dog booties at Scheels, PetSmart, and Petco for between $15 and $40.