MONTGOMERY COUNTY — With the cold temperatures here to stay, its important to make sure your furry friends are just as warm as you are.
[DOWNLOAD: Free WHIO-TV News app for alerts as news breaks]
The Montgomery County Animal Resource Center shared some cold weather safety tips on Facebook to help keep pets warm.
TRENDING STORIES:
- What’s open, closed for Christmas Day?
- Ohio man shot, killed on Christmas Eve
- Driver arrested on OVI charges after crash in Darke County
Dogs can suffer from frostbite and hypothermia just like people, so it’s important to keep pets inside.
At the very least, make sure they have an enclosed shelter with warm, dry bedding. Straw and hay can provide some extra insulation as well.
When walking your dog, make sure to wipe their paws off when you come back inside. Salt and other ice melting chemicals can irritate their paws.
You may have to adjust your pets calorie intake and monitor their activity level during the colder months.
Dogs who spend more time outside will need more calories to produce more body heat, while dogs who stay indoors may need less food as they aren’t exercising as much.
If you have outdoor water bowls, make sure you check them regularly to make sure they don’t freeze. Replace any ice with fresh water.
[SIGN UP: WHIO-TV Daily Headlines Newsletter]