Chelsea Animal Hospital Urges Owners to Keep Pets Out of Cold Weather

Baby, it's cold outside!

Our pets are important to us, and we want to take great care of them. As winter weather worsens, here are some simple tips from Chelsea Animal Hospital to ensure health and safety for our beloved canine or feline companions.

• Keep dogs and cats indoors when temperatures are in the low 30s, especially at night.
• If your pet normally stays outside during the day, make sure it has a warm place to go. Blankets or hay can be used for extra insulation in dog houses.
• Keep adequate water. Water can freeze within an hour outside when the temperatures drop below freezing. Many pet stores have heated bowls for water and food. Plastic tends to be the best, and deeper bowls usually retain fresh water longer before freezing occurs.
• Ethylene glycol based antifreeze is deadly to dogs, cats and other creatures. Make sure that it's not left out in the open and keep containers tightly capped.
• Watch out for cats. Many cats will look for convenient warm spots to rest. Some have discovered that vehicles provide comfortable areas, particularly wheel-wells or engine compartments.

Jessica Fowle, a licensed veterinary technician at Chelsea Animal Hospital, said most of the time dogs and cats will be fine with colder weather as long as they are properly cared for.

"Just like humans, a pet's overall health depends on whether or not it lives in a healthy environment," she said.

For animals feeling under the weather, Chelsea Animal Hospital is open Mondays, Wednesdays and Fridays from 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.; Tuesdays and Thursdays from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m.; and Saturdays from 8 a.m. to 1 p.m.

For more information, or to schedule an appointment, call 734-475-0615.