Winter Prep for Pets & Livestock

Winter Preparation for Pets and Livestock

We are fortunate here in the South to have relatively mild winters compared to what other parts of the country experience. However, I still feel now is a good time to go over some ways you can keep your animals happy and healthy this winter. This information comes not only from my own knowledge, but from both the North Carolina Department of Agriculture and Clemson Livestock Poultry Health Programs websites.

As you can imagine, hypothermia and dehydration are the two most likely life-threatening conditions for animals in cold weather. Wet conditions and wind-chill further increase their risk. Very young, very old, sick and underweight animals should receive special care and attention. If you have further questions about how to keep your animals healthy in the winter, feel free to reach out to your veterinarian and/or local livestock extension agent.

Pets (Dogs/Cats):

Pets should be brought inside during times of cold weather, if possible.

If not possible to bring inside, make sure they have a protected/covered area to go to with plenty of bedding, food, and water. Check water for outside pets regularly to make sure that it is not frozen. Break the ice at the top if necessary. Provide extra food for outside pets during times of colder weather. Ensure that any ice melt products you purchase for your home are pet safe. Some ice melters contain lots of salt. Ingestion of too much salt can cause digestive upset, tremors, seizures, etc. Calcium chloride is another ingredient to avoid as it can burn your pet's paws. Crystalline amides and glycols are preferable ingredients to salts and other chlorides. Dr. Ashley Martin DVM

WRITER/Ashley M. Martin

Livestock and Horses:

These animals should also be provided with a covered shelter that protects them from wind. Provide extra hay/feed (up to twice as many calories as they normally eat) so they can maintain their body heat while also keeping weight on. Higher quality hay/forage should be offered during the winter months Check body condition scores regularly to ensure animals are not becoming too thin. Thin animals may need to be separated from the rest of the herd so they can receive specialized care and nutrition. Make sure animals have access to plenty of drinking water. Consider installing a heated water trough if possible. If not possible, check water troughs/buckets regularly and break the ice if needed. Horses are especially at risk for impaction colic during the winter months due in part to decreased water intake. Horses have little desire to drink water that is very cold. In addition to investing in heated water troughs, consider adding warm bran mashes, moistened beet pulp or pelleted feed soaked in warm water to your horses diet. Very young, very old, sick or underweight horses are much more likely to need a blanket to keep them warm during the colder winter months.

Associate Veterinarian with Stokesdale Veterinary Hospital and Stoneville Veterinary Clinic.