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Animal Control |
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News Release
Winter Weather Spells Danger for Pets
Middlesex County Animal Control urges pet owners to take precautions
With the upcoming cold weather, The Middlesex County Animal Control is encouraging pet owners to take the following precautions for their companion animals.
Pets are best kept inside
- Bring in your pets when the temperature reaches 30 degrees with the wind chill.
- Despite their fur coats, dogs and cats can get frostbite, get lost in their search for warm shelter or even freeze to death.
If your pet must be kept outside, even if for a short time
- Provide an elevated house with clean, dry bedding and a flap over the opening.
- Consider adding a dog door to the garage with a soft cushion in the warmest corner.
- Make sure your pet’s drinking water is not frozen. Check periodically during the day.
- Outdoor pets need more calories to produce body heat, so feed them more.
For both indoor and outdoor pets
- Put petroleum jelly on your pet’s paws before an outing to protect them from de-icing materials.
- Wipe your pet’s feet when they come back in to prevent frostbite from snow and ice between the pads of their feet.
- Keep antifreeze, salt and other household poisons away from pets.