The Colorado Department of Agriculture warned that pets are vulnerable in the bitter cold that is gripping Colorado.
“If animals have prolonged exposure to cold conditions, despite having fur, they are still susceptible to hypothermia,” said Dr. Kate Anderson, administrator of the department’s Pet Animal Care Facilities.
She said hypothermia happens most likely when an animal is wet.
The signs of hypothermia are violent shivering followed by listlessness, apathy and a temperature below 97 degrees. The end result is the pet collapsing and going into a coma, she said.
Anderson said extreme cold means frozen water dishes, sore paws and cold nights.
To protect the animals, the Department of Agriculture suggests pets be kept inside. If they can’t be kept inside, they should be provided a warm, comfortable place with the shelter facing away from wind.
The shelter should have a flap or door to help keep the animal’s body heat inside. Bedding is essential because it insulates the pet from snow and ice underneath the body and allows the animal to retain heat within the bedding, said Anderson.
Car owners are asked to check under their car hoods before starting their cars because outdoor cats may stay there to keep warm.
In addition, Anderson said the following should be done:
“A good, common-sense rule: if you need to bundle up from the cold, you also need to take steps to protect your pets,” said Anderson.
Howard Pankratz: 303-954-1939 or hpankratz@denverpost.com
