LIMA, Ohio (WLIO) — Overnight snow is a reminder that winter weather is here to stay, and the Allen County Dog Warden is urging pet owners to keep their dogs safe and warm.
For dogs that are used to being indoors, it is recommended they only go outside for short periods. Frostbite can occur on their stomach, paw pads, or the tips of pointed ears in less than 30 minutes in freezing temperatures. For dogs that are acclimated to the outdoors, owners can take steps to make winter more comfortable.
“If it is a dog that's been acclimated to the outside, if you can just bring the doghouse inside the garage, inside a porch enclosure, something like that, because you don't want to go from hot to cold, cold to hot repeatedly, could cause a lot of damage that way as well. If you have any questions at all, you should contact your veterinarian as well. You know maybe they need more protein in their food or more fat in their food for the winter, just to keep that body fat up,” said Julie Shellhammer, Allen County Dog Warden.
For dogs living outside, Shellhammer advises positioning the enclosure so the opening faces away from the wind and using straw as bedding. Blankets or other cloth bedding should be avoided because they can get wet, freeze, and leave the dog sleeping on ice.
