Bitter cold days are tough for everyone, even animals. Wendy Rundio, assistant kennel manager for the Lycoming County SPCA, gave some tips for how to keep animals safe while still getting their outside time during the long winter months.
“If you’re not comfortable, they’re not comfortable,” Rundio said.
If dogs are outside, make sure they have a proper shelter, proportionate to their own size, she said, adding that they should not be given blankets, but straw bedding to keep from soaking up water.
Animals with thin hair will grow cold faster than animals with long hair. And after a walk around the block make sure to wipe of your animal’s feet as any cuts from the ice may get infused with salt used on the sidewalks.
Rundio added that if you put jackets on your animals, make sure they are properly dried between uses.
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