Porter County Animal Shelter employee Kori Black leads Sebastian, a German Shepherd, to the yard Jan. 23, 2019.
As the weather heads into another deep freeze, animal shelter directors have some advice for dog owners: If you’re cold when you go outside, your dog is, too.
With subzero low temperatures and single-digit high temperatures predicted this week, shelter officials said furry friends need extra care and attention to avoid frostbite and other cold-weather hazards, and playtime should switch to treat-filled toys and other mental stimulation to take the place of long walks or games of fetch.
"Shilah" stands in the yard at the Porter County Animal Shelter on Jan. 23, 2019, as kennels and cages are cleaned at the facility.
Pets should be kept indoors except for bathroom breaks if it’s below 20 degrees out, she said, while her counterparts at the Humane Society of Hobart and the Humane Society of Northwest Indiana in Gary’s Miller neighborhood said the limit should be around freezing, at 32 degrees.
“You have to be careful because it takes no time at all to get frostbite on their pads,” she said, adding water bowls also freeze up, so dogs don’t have a source for fresh water, among other cold weather hazards.
She added that with “some really freezing temps” on the way, people have to prepare to bring their dogs inside.
Sebastian, a German Shepherd, plays in the yard with Porter County Animal Shelter employee Kori Black as kennels and cages are cleaned indoors.
Ice itself is a concern, said Rene Douglas, director of the Hobart shelter, because sharp pieces can slice the pads on a dog’s paws.
To minimize paw injury, the directors suggest putting booties on dogs when they go outside if possible. They also recommend using pet-friendly ice melt or sand on slick pathways, since traditional road salt can hurt dogs’ paws or at the very least, make them sick if they lick their paws when they come inside.
“If they’re going to walk their dogs in this kind of weather and there’s salt on the sidewalks, either use doggy boots, which some people understandably don’t want to use, or wipe off with a clean, dry towel so they don’t lick the salt off their paws,” Bianchi said, adding she prefers to use sand.
Like kids, dogs can get cabin fever when they’re housebound because of bad weather. Shelter directors suggest finding other ways to keep them entertained when outdoor time turns to indoor time.
Spike, a pit bull terrier mix, runs through snow in the yard at the Porter County Animal Shelter on Jan. 23, 2019, as kennels and cages are cleaned.
Bianchi said to turn to training or toys with treats hidden inside.
“If you can throw a ball in your house without tearing your house apart, that’s great,” she said, adding if that’s not possible, mental exertion can be as exhausting as physical exercise.
Likewise, Douglas noted enrichment toys, like filling Kongs with peanut butter, or hiding treats around the house.
“It keeps them occupied and it works their brains, too,” she said.
Kids also trapped indoors can play with pets to keep them entertained, White said, and quiet time can help keep pets content as well.
“Even if you’re sitting watching a movie and petting that dog, they’re still getting stimulated,” she said.