As we move through winter and the chances of single-digit temperatures increases, make sure you know the signs of hypothermia in cats and dogs to avoid risk of injury or death.
When cats and dogs are exposed to the cold for too long, their body temperature — which is usually between 101°F and 102.5°F — can drop fatally. Your pets can develop hypothermia if they get extremely cold and can’t warm up. If it’s not treated quickly, it can cause their body to shut down. Your pets are at risk if they’re out in the cold for too long without shelter from the weather or if they suddenly become very cold, such as falling into freezing water.
All that fur isn’t enough to protect them from the cold temperatures. While pets with thin coats feel the cold weather faster than pets with thicker fur, any pet can become seriously ill if the temperature of their body drops too low.
The best thing you can do is to bring your pets inside when temperatures are harsh. Always keep in mind that if you wouldn’t want to be outside in those conditions for long, your pets don’t want to be either. Watch to be sure your pets aren’t shivering or in a curled position. If they are, it’s probably too cold and you’d better bring them inside quickly.
If you didn’t notice soon enough, your dogs and cats may show life-threatening signs of hypothermia. These include:
Violent shivering, followed by listlessness
Weak pulse
Paleness (lift the lips to see the color of the gums)
Low energy and seeming very sleepy
Muscle stiffness
Bad coordination
Problems breathing
Lack of appetite
Rectal temperature below 98°F
Coma
Cardiac arrest
Acting quickly and doing the right thing could save your pet’s life. Hypothermia is an emergency and you should phone your vet immediately.
If you think your pet is suffering because of the cold and might have hypothermia, here are some simple things you can do while you speak to your vet:
Get your pet out of the cold. Warming them up too quickly can be a shock for their body so take them somewhere sheltered and warm but not very hot.
Dry them gently with a towel if they’re wet.
Slowly warm them up by placing blankets underneath and over them.
Take care not to make your pet too warm, as this can also be dangerous.
Offer your pet some warm (not hot) water to drink.
Take your pet to the vet. It’s important for your pet to receive an examination, even if you think they’re okay.
Caution: Do not use hair dryers, heating pads or electric blankets to warm up a hypothermic pet. This may result in burns or cause surface blood vessels to dilate, which compromises circulation to vital organs.
Remember, the best way to prevent hypothermia is to avoid it. Always provide warm, dry shelter for pets when they're outdoors.