Expert Tips for Keeping Dogs, Cats & Outdoor Animals Safe When Temperatures Drop

Cold temperatures and severe winter weather can quickly and easily become deadly for pets. Whether you’re a dedicated pet owner or a concerned neighbor, knowing how to help animals in freezing conditions can mean the difference between life and death.

Why Cold Weather Is a Risk for Pets

When temperatures fall into the 20s or below, pets are at risk of:

– Hypothermia: dangerously low body temperature

– Frostbite: especially on ears, paws, tails

– Dehydration: pets can’t drink frozen water

– Illness from cold, wet conditions

Even breeds that seem “built for winter” can struggle in windy, wet, or icy conditions that accelerate heat loss. As a rule of thumb: if it’s too cold for you to comfortably stay outside, it’s also too cold for your pets.

The Best Protection: Bring Pets Indoors

In the face of dangerous cold, the safest place for pets is inside your home. Pets need the warmth, supervision, and protection that only being indoors can provide. We recommend keeping outdoor time brief (aka only for bathroom breaks).

If you must house animals outdoors:

– Provide an insulated, covered shelter that stands off the ground and blocks wind and moisture.

– Line bedding with straw, which traps heat. Never use blankets or hay hold moisture, which rapidly saps away body heat.

– Change outdoor water regularly or use a pet-safe heated bowl so their water doesn’t freeze. Licking frozen water is not enough to keep pets hydrated.

– Include pets in your emergency planning if extreme weather could leave you at home without power or running water.

Cold Weather Checklist for Pet Owners

✔ Bring pets indoors during freezing temperatures
✔ Have extra pet food, medications, and water on hand
✔ Change water often or use a heated bowl
✔ Wipe paws after walks — road salt and de-icers can burn paw pads and cause toxicity and illness if licked
✔ Check cars before starting — animals sometimes shelter in warm engine compartments

What to Do if You See a Pet in Danger

If you see a pet left outside in dangerously cold weather without adequate protection:

1. Assess the situation calmly. Is the animal at risk from winter weather, or lack of food/water? Never enter private property or put yourself in danger.

2. Take photos (safely). It can be helpful to document the circumstances, but only if you can do so safely and without entering private property.

3. Contact local authorities. Animal Control officers respond to pets lacking food, water, or shelter. In North Carolina, acts that deprive an animal of necessary sustenance are illegal under state cruelty laws.

4. Report cruelty or neglect. You can also file a complaint through the North Carolina Department of Justice Animal Welfare Hotline if local law enforcement has already been contacted.

Legal Requirements in North Carolina

Under North Carolina state law, it is a misdemeanor or felony to intentionally deprive an animal of food, water, shelter, or other necessary care. Many counties and cities in NC have additional local ordinances that spell out minimum standards for animal care. For example:

– Some local codes require animals to have access to adequate shelter, food, and water, with “adequate shelter” meaning an enclosure with at least three sides, a roof, and a dry surface.

– Adequate water must be unfrozen and accessible so pets can stay hydrated even during cold weather.

Because local laws vary by county and city, you can check your local animal control or city code for the specific definitions where you live.

Be a Good Neighbor to Animals This Winter

Cold weather can quickly become dangerous to pets — and unlike people, pets can’t layer up or seek warmth on their own. With a little planning and awareness, you can ensure pets in your household and community stay safe, warm, and cared for when winter weather strikes. Thank you for being an advocate for the safety of pets in our community.