Keeping the cold out, and the animals in: Wood County Humane Society talks winter pet safety

BOWLING GREEN, Ohio — It's the time of year where temperatures keeping dropping. For some, it's time to shovel the driveway or salt the sidewalk. For others, it means taking extra precautions with their pets. 

According to Megann Smith, the director of shelter operations at Wood County Humane Society, indoor animals aren't as adaptable to the freezing temperatures, despite their furry appearance.  

“We've all probably heard the wind this morning, or stepped outside and that just hits you so hard and cold. And while we think ‘oh they have fur, they'll be okay', a lot of animals, especially if they have been indoors and with you, their bodies really aren't built for those temperatures,” said Smith.

While it's best to bring animals inside during freezing temperatures, Smith also understands that it's not always a possibility. In which case she said that the best thing to do is to try and provide your animals with the proper resources. 

“There are really great ways to mediate,” continues Smith. “Straw, damp-free bedding, heaters that are safe and won't cause any fires…safety things like that. Along with heaters for your water so they have that free water, food and other things like that.”.

Just like people, animals left outside can develop hypothermia, get sick or even freeze to death which is why even those community pets and strays matter. 

“I think a lot of people view them as ‘oh well their ancestors were outside and wild, so they will know what to do', and I think it's important to factor in the history of those specific animals,” stated Smith. 

“A lot of domesticated pets, they rely on us as humans to provide those resources for them.” 

Additionally, as the roads are salted and people continue to walk their dogs, it's important to remember to wipe their pads when you get home, and to use to pet-safe salt on your own driveway.