Go Back
  • For Business
  • |
  • Warnings
  • Data Suite
  • Newsletters
  • Advertising
  • Superior Accuracy™
A week after deadly Texas flooding, hope fades but resilience grows. Chevron right
Recovery teams, displaced residents in Texas face brutal heat. Chevron right

Columbus, OH

72°F
Location Chevron down
Location News Videos
Use Current Location
Recent

Columbus

Ohio

72°
No results found.
Try searching for a city, zip code or point of interest.
settings
Columbus, OH Weather
Today WinterCast Local {stormName} Tracker Hourly Daily Radar MinuteCast Monthly Air Quality Health & Activities

Around the Globe

Hurricane Tracker

Severe Weather

Radar & Maps

News

News & Features

Astronomy

Business

Climate

Health

Recreation

Sports

Travel

For Business

Warnings

Data Suite

Newsletters

Advertising

Superior Accuracy™

Video

Winter Center

AccuWeather Early Hurricane Center Top Stories Trending Today Astronomy Heat Climate Health Recreation In Memoriam Case Studies Blogs & Webinars

News / Weather News

How to protect your pets from winter weather

Dogs and cats need protection just like humans to stay healthy during the cold winter months. Follow these simple guidelines to ensure their safety and happiness when the temperature plummets.

By Brian Lada, AccuWeather meteorologist and senior content editor

Copied

Don't forget to keep your pets safe and warm during the winter season. Here's how you can help your furry friends.

When harsh winter weather hits, it can affect pets as much as people.

However, with the proper protection and preparation, pets can safely spend time outdoors amid the snow and cold.

When the temperatures drop low enough for people to wear winter coats, it may also be time for pet owners to bundle up their pets before heading outside.

“Many dogs enjoy walking outside in cold weather and playing in the snow,” Dr. Erin Wilson, medical director of the ASPCA, said.

“If dogs seem uncomfortable, then a sweater or jacket can be very helpful,” Wilson said.

Even dogs with thick winter fur can benefit from a coat or sweater during an outbreak of arctic air.

Dogs enjoy the winter weather
Twitter

If pets do not have the proper protection from the chilly air, they can face heath risks similar to humans that are unprotected from the cold.

“Pets are sensitive to severe cold and are at risk for frostbite and hypothermia during extreme cold snaps," according to the Humane Society of the United States. “Exposed skin on noses, ears and paw pads can quickly freeze and suffer permanent damage."

If an animal is showing signs of frostbite or hypothermia, you should contact your veterinarian immediately.

Booties are another form of clothing for pets to not only keep their sensitive paws from getting frost bitten, but also to protect them from harmful chemicals, such as rock salt.

Sled Dogs with boots

Sled dogs wear booties to protect their feet. (Photo/Romana Krochuk/Hemera/Thinkstock)

Animal experts also advise to check your dog's paws frequently for signs of cold-weather injury that can sometimes occur when ice accumulates between their toes. You may be able to reduce the chance of iceball accumulation by clipping the hair between the dog's toes, according to the American Veterinary Medical Association.

People with pets that live primarily outside should take extra steps to ensure that their pet is safe during the winter months.

“Heated houses with lots of soft, warm blankets can be used by both dogs and cats,” Wilson said.

“Owners should also check water sources twice daily, to make sure that the water bowl hasn’t frozen over,” he added.

GET THE FREE ACCUWEATHER APP

  •   Have the app? Unlock AccuWeather Alerts™ with Premium+

Regardless of whether pets live inside, owners should supply them with extra food as it takes more energy to stay warm in the winter time.

Major winter storms, such as blizzards, can affect pets of all kinds, including indoor pets.

People should always keep their pets in mind when preparing for a major storm and ensure that they have enough food to last several days following the storm in case travel is unsafe.

Additionally, major storms can lead to long-duration power outages, which may result in indoor temperatures dropping to dangerously low levels for pets.

Dogs play in a park during heavy snow fall in London on Jan. 24, 2021. (AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth)

AP Photo/Kirsty Wigglesworth

READ MORE HERE:

Terrifying video shows why snow squalls are so dangerous
The hidden dangers of icicles growing on your property
Top winter activities that could send you to the emergency room

Want next-level safety, ad-free? Unlock advanced, hyperlocal severe weather alerts when you subscribe to Premium+ on the AccuWeather app. AccuWeather Alerts™ are prompted by our expert meteorologists who monitor and analyze dangerous weather risks 24/7 to keep you and your family safer.

Report a Typo

Weather News

Weather News

A week after deadly Texas flooding, hope fades but resilience grows

Jul. 10, 2025
Severe Weather

Rounds of severe storms to rattle, drench central US

Jul. 10, 2025
video

Abandoned cars submerged by severe flooding in North Carolina

Jul. 10, 2025
video

Before-and-after pictures show devastation caused by Texas floods

Jul. 9, 2025
Severe Weather

Severe weather to rumble in the central US through the holiday weekend

Jul. 6, 2025
Weather News

Record sargassum seaweed piles up on Caribbean islands, Gulf

Jul. 2, 2025
Weather News

Alabama teen in ICU after lightning strike hits boat, causing burns an...

Jul. 2, 2025
Show more Show less Chevron down

Topics

AccuWeather Early

Hurricane Center

Top Stories

Trending Today

Astronomy

Heat

Climate

Health

Recreation

In Memoriam

Case Studies

Blogs & Webinars

Top Stories

Weather Forecasts

Texas Hill Country recovery, cleanup teams to face brutal July weather

14 hours ago

Weather News

State inspection before floods found Camp Mystic had emergency plan

19 hours ago

Weather News

Deadly flash flooding devastates wildfire-scarred New Mexico town

7 hours ago

Astronomy

1st full moon of summer to rise Thursday night

1 day ago

Weather News

Most Texas flood victims face devastation without flood insurance

16 hours ago

More Stories

Featured Stories

Health

How can families handle new anxieties around summer camp?

13 hours ago

AccuWeather Ready

Floodwater rising in your house? Do this

2 days ago

Weather News

Orcas are bringing humans gifts of food – but why?

13 hours ago

Weather News

Earthquake swarm detected at Mount Rainier, biggest since 2009

18 hours ago

Weather News

The US has a plan to breed millions of flies and drop them from planes

13 hours ago

AccuWeather Weather News How to protect your pets from winter weather
Company
Proven Superior Accuracy About AccuWeather Digital Advertising Careers Press Contact Us
Products & Services
For Business For Partners For Advertising AccuWeather APIs AccuWeather Connect RealFeel® and RealFeel Shade™ Personal Weather Stations
Apps & Downloads
iPhone App Android App See all Apps & Downloads
Subscription Services
AccuWeather Premium AccuWeather Professional
More
AccuWeather Ready Business Health Hurricane Leisure and Recreation Severe Weather Space and Astronomy Sports Travel Weather News Winter Center
Company
Proven Superior Accuracy About AccuWeather Digital Advertising Careers Press Contact Us
Products & Services
For Business For Partners For Advertising AccuWeather APIs AccuWeather Connect RealFeel® and RealFeel Shade™ Personal Weather Stations
Apps & Downloads
iPhone App Android App See all Apps & Downloads
Subscription Services
AccuWeather Premium AccuWeather Professional
More
AccuWeather Ready Business Health Hurricane Leisure and Recreation Severe Weather Space and Astronomy Sports Travel Weather News Winter Center
© 2025 AccuWeather, Inc. "AccuWeather" and sun design are registered trademarks of AccuWeather, Inc. All Rights Reserved.
Terms of Use | Privacy Policy | Cookie Policy | About Your Privacy Do Not Sell or Share My Personal Information

...

...

...