Image courtesy of the National Weather Service

Temperatures are going to remain below freezing during the day and night this week, along with some temperatures falling back below zero. With this mind, it’s a good time to go over some pet safety tips.

Dr. Christy Fields with Companion Veterinary Clinic of Greene County advises covering up your canine with clothing that can keep them warm and use dog booties for their feet. Dr. Fields points out the booties will not only protect a dog’s paws from the cold concrete, but also from de-icing agents as well.

“Salt can irritate the pads. If it gets in between the pads you can get some significant skin irritation. If you don’t want to do the booties or some pets don’t really like them, just make sure that you’re cleaning your pet’s feet when you get back inside. Making sure that there’s not salt, but even ice balls get stuck up in between the pads and can be very uncomfortable and cause sores.”  

Dr. Fields recommends for dog owners to only keep their indoor pets outside for no longer than 15 minutes for them to use the restroom when it’s dangerously cold.