Vet’s urgent warning to dog owners in cold temperatures & the mistake which poses ‘significant threat’ to pets
PET owners have been warned not to leave animals in uninsulated conservatories during cold weather with some areas of the UK expecting snow this week.
The Met Office says that we can expect up to 10cm of the white stuff to fall within the first fortnight of December.
As the UK embraces yet more chilly temperatures, pet owners may want to ready their animals as well as themselves.
The British Veterinary Association (BVA) and Met Office has warned that uninsulated conservatories pose significant risks to animal safety during cold weather.
It comes as a third of homeowners use their conservatories for their pets, according to a survey by Greater Manchester-based CI Group.
The BVA said: “When it’s cold for us, it’s cold for our pets, which is why it’s important to take extra precautions to keep them safe and warm.
“Make sure your dog’s bed is in a draught-free, warm spot insulated from the floor in the house.
“Much like humans, our pets can also be vulnerable to colder weather and can even fall ill from extended exposure to very cold temperatures.”
Meanwhile, the RSPCA urged owners to make sure their pets have a space that does not drop below 10C and to take extra care when housing pets in conservatories.
Matt Forrest, Managing Director of Radcliffe-based CI Group, said: “Every uninsulated conservatory is a problem – they are too cold in the winter and too hot in the summer, providing homeowners and their pets with a myriad of problems.”
When it comes to walking your dog in colder temperatures, we previously revealed when it is too chilly for walkies.
The Pet Health Club took to TikTok to share a handy chart showing the advised temperatures to avoid, some of which pose a “severe risk” to animals if they’re taken out in it.
From 15 degrees to 10 degrees Celsius, you can take any dog out, as there’s “minimal to no risk”.
“Enjoy exploring the great outdoors!” they added.
For large dogs, 7 degrees Celsius is also minimal, while it’s a “low risk” for small or medium dogs.
“Small or thin-coated dogs may need a coat. Watch for shivering or reluctance to walk,” they added.
At 4 degrees Celsius, it’s considered “low risk” for large dogs, but “potentially unsafe” for small or medium dogs.
“Short-haired, small and elderly dogs could be at risk. Limit walks and watch for signs of hypothermia,” they wrote.
Small, medium and large dogs are “potentially unsafe” if taken out in one degree Celsius, or minus one degree, but it increases to “high risk” if small or medium dogs are walked when it’s minus four outside.
“Potentially life-threatening, especially for smaller breeds,” they said.
“And the risk is higher if it’s wet.”
At minus six degrees, the risk changes to “severe” for small dogs, but remains “very high” for medium dogs and “potentially unsafe” for large.
That changes to “very high” risk to medium and large dogs at minus nine degrees, while it’s still “severe” for small dogs.
Anything below minus nine, and you should limit outdoor time for “quick toilet breaks only, especially for small and thin-coated dogs”.