Pets and the Cold
By: Cole Heath
Updated: February 25, 2010
Baxter Springs, KS-- Megan Channel is the "mom" of two children, her biological daughter, and her 6 year old dog Pinky.
"She's just like a family member, she does everything with us, she goes to bed with us every night," Channel said.
Pinky, like other dogs, needs help to stay warm this winter.
Veterinarians like Dr. Kevin Kemp say the low temperatures can be very dangerous to pets.
"They're a little more tolerant to the cold weather because of their hair coat, but when you feel it's cold outside, they feel like it's cold outside," Dr. Kemp said.
Dr. Kemp says you need to make sure your pets have a warm place to escape the freezing temperatures.
This can be a dog house lined with blankets or cedar chips; or placing warm materials in your garage.
"Pay more attention to the basics, food water, shelter, they need more calories so they need more food, water. They cannot lick enough ice, they cannot get enough snow to get their water intake," Dr. Kemp said.
Both Megan and the Doc agree you need to treat your pet as a family member and keep them out of the cold.
"Pinky has a coat hanging in the closet next to ours, she puts her coat on, I make sure they don't get too cold," Channel said.
"Just like people they can get hypothermia, they can get dehydrated," Dr. Kemp said.
"She's just like a family member, she does everything with us, she goes to bed with us every night," Channel said.
Pinky, like other dogs, needs help to stay warm this winter.
Veterinarians like Dr. Kevin Kemp say the low temperatures can be very dangerous to pets.
"They're a little more tolerant to the cold weather because of their hair coat, but when you feel it's cold outside, they feel like it's cold outside," Dr. Kemp said.
Dr. Kemp says you need to make sure your pets have a warm place to escape the freezing temperatures.
This can be a dog house lined with blankets or cedar chips; or placing warm materials in your garage.
"Pay more attention to the basics, food water, shelter, they need more calories so they need more food, water. They cannot lick enough ice, they cannot get enough snow to get their water intake," Dr. Kemp said.
Both Megan and the Doc agree you need to treat your pet as a family member and keep them out of the cold.
"Pinky has a coat hanging in the closet next to ours, she puts her coat on, I make sure they don't get too cold," Channel said.
"Just like people they can get hypothermia, they can get dehydrated," Dr. Kemp said.
