(File Photo of Three Dogs with a Pittsburgh Penguins “A Great Day for Hockey” Sign)
Noah Haswell, Beaver County Radio News
(Cranberry Township, PA) After a major winter storm hit western Pennsylvania over the weekend, pet owners should prepare their pets for the cold temperatures ahead. Dr. Mike Hutchinson, the founder of Animal General in Cranberry Township, suggests several tips to keep your pet safe during the cold weather. One tip he recommends is to bring your pet to the veterinarian or a hospital immediately after calling those locations if your pet looks uncomfortable. Another tip is to change the routine of your pet because they can get very cold if frigid temperatures arise, so taking them for a walk during these temperatures is not a good idea. The snow can also get deep under the paws of dogs. If you do go for a walk with your pet in the cold, Dr. Hutchinson states that you should keep them on a leash that is short so “they will not get loose” as well as to make a path for them. You must also keep your pets inside whenever possible during cold temperatures, and if you do go out with them, monitor their time and keep an eye on their behavior. Dr. Hutchinson also recommends that since pets can get hyperthermia and frostbite, purchasing booties, coats or sweaters for your pet can be a practical way for them to stay warm. Finally, toxic chemicals in ice and salt can burn the paws of your dogs even after you shovel snow, so Dr. Hutchinson suggests taking a cloth with warm water to wipe their feet and pads off. He notes that it becomes dangerous if dogs ingest the toxic chemicals after licking their paws.