Temperatures are expected to plunge into the 20s across the Lowcountry and Charleston Animal Society is urging pet owners to take precautions to protect your pets.
LIMIT EXERCISE
Exercising in cold weather can catch your pet by surprise, so be sure to moderate outdoor activities. This may include shortening walks for dogs and keeping cats indoors during the coldest hours over the next several days.
Animals with certain conditions like diabetes, along with older and very young animals may have difficulty regulating their body temperatures in extreme cold.
CARS & CATS
When it comes to cats, be sure to "make some noise." A warm vehicle engine can be an appealing heat source for outdoor and feral cats, but it's deadly. Check underneath your car, bang on the hood, and honk the horn before starting the engine to encourage feline hitchhikers to abandon their roost under the hood.
EARS AND PAWS MOST AT RISK
Your dog's or cat's ears and paws are the most prone to discomfort during cold weather. Be sure to check them regularly and after any outdoor walks in below-freezing weather. Remember, if it's too cold for you, it's too cold for them.
CHECK WATER SOURCES
Because of the temperatures, any water left outside may freeze overnight, so be sure to check your dog or cat's outdoor water source to make sure they can properly use it.
If you are concerned about an animal you see out in the cold, don't hesitate to call your local animal control agency.