A natural fur coat only goes so far against hypothermia, frostbite and plain-old chills. The Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals encouraged Cincinnatians to bring their outdoor pets inside until at least Wednesday morning to protect them from impending below-freezing temperatures.
“If you are unable to do so, then you must provide adequate shelter,” Hamilton County Dog Warden Brandon Corcoran wrote in a news release. “We encourage insulated dog houses, straw for bedding — never to use blankets or sheets that become hard.”
Some more tips for keeping your pet safe when Cincinnati temporarily becomes Antarctica:
- Limit their time outdoors generally and definitely don’t leave them out for long periods of time.
- Keep your pet warm and dry, towel- or blow-drying them if they become too wet.
- A curious cat can knock over a space heater; a dog trying to warm up can accidentally burn herself. Keep these devices out of your pets’ reach.
- When in doubt, remember: Dogs’ and cats’ normal internal body temperature is only a few degrees higher than a human’s. If you’re too cold, they’re too cold.
