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On the topic of leaving a pet outside in the cold or inside warm and safe: I have looked at three sites and their recommendations and/or warnings: American Veterinary Medical Association, HumaneWorld.org, and ASPCA.
So to begin, let’s summarize what each group has to say.
AVMA
American Veterinary Medical Association tells us that both pets and livestock need help in cold temperatures. Cold tolerance varies by age, coat, condition, etc. Shorthair breeds and short leg breeds will feel the cold faster. Both cats and dogs are susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia the same as people. And just as thicker coat breeds are more tolerant of the cold, they still should not be left in below freezing temps for long periods. It is a good idea to check their paws for cracking or bleeding, and ice or snow build up in their fur.
This is also a good practice when walking your pet in lower temperatures. Or the use of pet booties is a preventive measure to safeguard paws and sweaters or warm coats for extra warmth. And clean off your pet’s legs and belly after a walk to rid them of any toxic deicer that they have rubbed against which they will lick off themselves and be exposed to a poisonous toxin.
Warm engines for cold animals
Another note about warm engines and cold animals. Remember to hit the hood to scare out any burrowing animals in cold weather. Also, do not leave your animal in a cold car which can cool to refrigerator temps rapidly..
Livestock
Horses need blankets, along with dry bedding and shelter, frequent water and food changes to stay comfortable.
Animal outside
If you have to leave your animal outside, it is recommended as follows: provide him/her with a warm, solid shelter against wind. Make sure that they have unlimited access to fresh, non-frozen water (by changing the water frequently or using a pet-safe, heated water bowl). The floor of the shelter should be off of the ground (to minimize heat loss into the ground) and the bedding should be thick, dry and changed regularly to provide a warm, dry environment. The door to the shelter should be positioned away from prevailing winds. Space heaters and heat lamps should be avoided because of the risk of burns or fire. Heated pet mats should also be used with caution because they are still capable of causing burns.
Hypothermia signs
If your pet is whining, anxious, shivering, get them inside immediately. These are signs of hypothermia. In a blizzard, or power outage, include your animals in your emergency plans.
HumaneWorld.org
This group warns that leaving your pet outside in the cold without food or shelter is the most common abuse investigated by animal control and police. And if you see an animal left out as mentioned, please do speak out!
They recommend not leaving a cat outside in cold weather whereas a dog needs frequent walks but should be brought in after.
Horses are noted as needing warm blankets, shelters, warm, dry bedding, and good food and water changes often.
Outdoor needs
If your pet is outside for a good amount of the day time during cold weather, Humane World says: “If your dog is outdoors much of the day for any reason, they must be protected by a dry, draft-free shelter that is large enough to allow them to move comfortably, but small enough to hold in body heat. The floor should be raised a few inches from the ground and covered with cedar shavings or straw. The doorway should be covered with waterproof burlap or heavy plastic.”
“Pets who spend a lot of time outdoors need more food in the winter because keeping warm depletes energy. Routinely check your pet’s water dish to make certain the water is fresh and unfrozen. Use plastic food and water bowls; when the temperature is low, your pet’s tongue can stick and freeze to metal.”
Cold weather walks
This organization also mentions wearing sweaters for your pets cold weather walks and wiping their legs and paws down in case of running into any deicer toxins they will try to lick off.
ASPCA
This association tells us to “break out the winter coats” for our pets and gives us their 10 cold weather pet safety tips:
- If it is too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for your pet.
- After each walk, make sure to wash and dry your pet’s feet and stomach.
- Massage petroleum jelly into your pet’s paw pads before going outside to help protect from salt and chemical agents.
- Keep your home humidified and be sure to towel dry your pet as soon as they come inside to avoid itchy, flaking skin.
- Never shave your dog down to their skin during winter.
- Try not to bathe your pet as often during cold spells.
- Thoroughly clean up any antifreeze spills.
- Feed your pet a little extra in the winter months.
- Ensure your furry companion has a warm place to sleep that’s off the floor and away from drafts.
- Never let your dog off the leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm.
The above three organizations appear to mention the same safety issues and give great advice to protect our pets in cold weather. Some believe that heavier coated dogs like Alaskan Malamutes, Tibetian Mastiffs, a Siberian Husky, or a Bernese Mountain Dog are built for the harsh cold. However, any dog left out for a long period in freezing temps is liable to get frostbite and hypothermia and needs to be watched over closely.
Please take a look at my post on helping defenseless pets here.
I found no arguments to leave your pet outside in cold weather. Only what to do if, for some reason you need to do so, and steps to take to keep your pet warm in that case. Do see this great chart from Fetch Pet “How Cold is Too Cold“. It shows even as high as 45 degrees can be risky for some pets and 30 degrees a definite risk even for larger and heavier coated pets.
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Estimated reading time: 7 minutes