Cold weather safety tips for dog owners
ATLANTA, Ga. (Atlanta News First) - Dogs with short hair coats and less body fat need extra protection during cold weather, according to Georgia veterinarians.
Dog owners should put coats on their pets when taking them outside for walks if temperatures drop below 40 degrees, the same way people bundle up in cold weather.
Georgia vets recommend keeping dogs indoors when temperatures fall below 20 degrees rather than taking them for walks. Dogs should play inside during extremely cold conditions.
Dogs still need to go outside for bathroom breaks during cold weather, but owners should keep these trips short and leave coats on their pets.
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Pet owners should use plastic bowls instead of metal ones for water when dogs drink outside. Metal bowls can cause dogs’ tongues to stick in cold temperatures.
Dogs burn more calories trying to stay warm in cold weather, so owners should provide extra treats during winter conditions.
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