JACKSONVILLE, Fla. — As you prepare to bundle up for this weekend’s cold snap, our four-legged friends need to bundle up as well.
Our First Alert meteorologists say “feel like” temperatures could drop as low as the single digits starting Sunday.
“They can feel how cold it is, especially if they’re not used to being out in the weather all the time,” said retired Veterinarian Dr. Richard Williams.
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Dr. Williams has more than 40 years of experience practicing veterinary medicine. He says that despite dogs and cats having fur coats, they still can get frostbite from the cold weather.
He said, “They’re going to start trembling and shaking initially, and they’re just going to be, obviously, sort of be in distress from it.”
The best thing pet owners can do is limit their pet’s time outside during the cold.
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"Cut your walks a little shorter than what they’re used to, and they’ll usually do fine," said Dr. Williams. “If they can’t bring them in, try to provide some extra heat in their dog pens or places like that.”
If your pet displays any signs of frostbite, contact your local veterinarian immediately.
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