It’s ruff to be a pup when the weather gets this doggone cold.
As the mercury drops and New Yorkers bundle up, pet owners should go beyond dressing their pooches in adorable sweaters to ensure that man’s best friend stays as safe and comfortable as possible this winter.
Baby, it’s cold outside
Periods of frigid weather aren’t the time to get your indoor pet to become outdoorsy.
“Do not decide this week that you are going to test your dog out in the new dog house in the backyard,” Dr. Ann Hohenhaus, a staff veterinarian at the Animal Medical Center on the Upper East Side, told the Daily News.
If you have a garage and want to set up a dog bed in there, make sure it is not directly on the chilly concrete floor.
People who use a car to get around should avoid leaving their pup in the vehicle while they run errands, she added.
Another car-related tip? Bang on your hood or beep your horn before you start the engine so any outdoor animals who went inside seeking warmth are scared away, ASPCA Animal Hospital vice president Dr. Louise Murray told The News.
The weather should also influence how much you feed your pooch.
“If you have a dog that normally gets a lot of exercise but is miserable going out in weather like this, that dog might not need as much food as it usually does,” Hohenhaus explained.
On the other hand, a dog that could play in the snow for hours may need heartier meals.
Sweater weather
So, should you dress your dog for the season? It depends, Hohenhaus said.
“I see no reason that if you own a Siberian husky that the dog needs a sweater,” she said. “(But) look at your dog and use common sense. If your dog is outside and shaking and shivering and pulling at the leash to go back in, that’s a sign the dogs needs to be wearing more.”
Murray pointed out that an extra coat may protect parts of the dog from the cold, but areas that are more vulnerable to frostbite, like the ears, tail and pads of the feet, are still exposed to the elements.
“The biggest thing is not to be outside too long,” she said.
Salty sidewalks could spell trouble
Sometimes the damage can come from below because salt-covered sidewalks can harm a pup’s paws.
“Even though there are pet safe salt melts, everyone doesn’t use them because they are much more expensive,” Hohenhaus said. “Maybe your building does, but two doors down where you need to walk to get to the park doesn’t.”
Protect your dog’s paws by investing in a pair of canine booties. These come in a range of styles and prices, she explained, but pet owners should settle on something their dog will actually wear.
Potentially hidden hazards
There are other dangers lurking on the icy city sidewalks. Eroded electrical cords, for example, can spark trouble.
“If your pet seems to yip near a light post, that might be a hint that there is stray voltage there,” Hohenhaus said.
Sites like StreetZaps will help you find spots where pets and people have been electrocuted.
Anti-freeze is another big problem, as a few licks of these fluids can be lethal.
“You don’t want to let your dog drink from any puddle you see,” Murray said.
The ASPCA advises thoroughly cleaning your pup’s legs and stomach after it has been outside to prevent the pooch from ingesting any potentially deadly chemicals it may have been exposed to outside.
What about cats?
Felines should be kept inside when it gets cold, and the people who tend to the feral cats should be careful that the water and food they put out doesn’t freeze right away, Hohenhaus said. This may require giving them dry food or checking on them more often. Heated bowls can also be used to make sure drinking water doesn’t turn to ice.
Building a dry, insulated shelter can also protect the cats, Murray said. Straw, not hay, works particularly well as a lining.
“It makes a huge difference,” she added.
