The UK has been hit by the first ice and snow of the winter, with temperatures plummeting below zero, and dog owners have been warned of the dangers of going outside
Dog owners have been issued a warning about the risks of taking their pets out for their usual strolls amid the icy blast. The UK is currently experiencing its first ice and snow of the winter, with temperatures dropping below freezing.
Thursday night saw the chilliest temperatures of this winter so far, as yellow and amber weather alerts remain in effect. Some areas have even seen the mercury plummet to a bone-chilling -11°C.
Yellow ice warnings have been put in place in northern Scotland, along England’s east coast, in Kent, Cornwall, and on the north and west coasts of Wales.
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Major cities included in the Met Office’s warnings are Newcastle, Norwich and Aberdeen. As Brits bundle up against the cold, dog owners are being reminded to keep an eye on their furry friends.
Many will be keen to take their dogs out for their regular walks and enjoy the crisp, fresh air. However, there comes a point when it becomes unsafe for dogs to be out in the cold, reports the Express.
Just like humans, every dog reacts differently to the icy conditions. Some dogs are better equipped to handle the cold, while others struggle with even a slight chill.
Dogs who find the cold challenging usually have a thin coat and prefer to be wrapped up in blankets. They might find temperatures as high as 5°C difficult to cope with.
If they show any signs of struggling, consider putting them in dog coats, shortening your walks or even staying indoors.
Small dogs, puppies, elderly dogs and slim breeds might find zero the temperature they start to struggle at. If it reaches zero and your dog falls within this category, it is recommended you give a walk a miss.
When temperatures drop as low as -4°C and beyond, it is said walks should be skipped. With such low temperatures come health risks to dogs that would be preventable if they stayed indoors.
If they spent too much time outside in the cold, they could even suffer hypothermia, frostbite and cracked paws, pads or noses. You will be able to notice if your dog is struggling with the cold through signs.
They might shiver, whine, not want to move, hold their paws up, seek warmth or act disoriented. If you spot any of these signs, you need to get your dog home and warm them up safely.
When temperatures are still cold but safe for dogs to still go out, you can do things to keep them warm. It is recommended that slim and thin-coated dogs wear a jacket.
Getting them to run and play can also help as movement will generate body heat. But if your dog isn’t used to the cold or clearly doesn’t like it, keep the walks short until they adapt to it.
It is recommended dog walks are kept to the warmest parts of the day, typically between 11am and 3pm during the winter. If in any doubt your dog is struggling with the cold and may have hypothermia, take them to the vet straight away.
