KDSN RADIO News
Extreme Cold Weather Bad For Animals
Blizzard-like conditions continue as Iowans endure a second day of high winds and dangerous wind chills. Dr. Tarin Clausen from Seaton Vet Clinic in Denison said during cold times, people might forget about the importance of keeping their animals warm.
“If you have to keep your animals outside, you should bed them with straw because blankets will absorb the moisture from the air and from the snow," Clausen said.
She says straw is a great insulator for both farm animals and dogs and cats.
“So if you have straw, it’s a great insulator. Not hay, not grass hay, not alfalfa but straw bales.”
Clausen says dogs and cats shouldn’t be left out in the cold temperatures like this.
“Going into the snow, their paw pads can get frozen and rough and they’ll start limping or won’t want to walk," Clausen said.
She said folks can get creative when thinking about keeping their pets warm.
“If you have a styrofoam cooler you can cut a little doorway and stuff that is full of straw," Clausen said.
The cold streak should snap late this weekend. By midweek next week, high temperatures are expected to be in the upper 30s.
