Veterinarian warns dog owners about dangerous mistakes at low temperatures

PET owners have been warned not to leave animals in uninsulated conservatories during cold weather, as some parts of Britain expect snow this week.

The Met Office says we can expect up to 10cm of the white stuff within the first two weeks of December.

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As Britain embraces increasingly colder temperatures, pet owners want to prepare their animals as well as themselves.

The British Veterinary Association (BVA) and the Met Office have warned that uninsulated conservatories pose significant risks to animal safety during cold weather.

According to a survey by Greater Manchester’s CI Group, a third of homeowners use their conservatory for their pets.

The BVA said: “When it’s cold for us, it’s cold for our pets. That’s why it’s important to take extra precautions to keep them safe and warm.

“Make sure your dog’s bed is in a draft-free, warm place in the house, insulated from the floor.

“Like humans, our pets can also be vulnerable to colder weather and even become ill from prolonged exposure to very cold temperatures.”

Meanwhile, the RSPCA urged owners to ensure their pets have an area that does not drop below 10 degrees Celsius and to take extra care when housing pets in conservatories.

Matt Forrest, managing director of the Radcliffe-based company CI groupsaid: “Any uninsulated conservatory is a problem: they are too cold in winter and too hot in summer, leaving homeowners and their pets with a myriad of problems.”

When it comes to walking your dog in colder temperatures, we’ve previously revealed when it’s too cold for a walk.

The Animal Health Club went to TikTok to share a handy overview of the recommended temperatures to avoid, some of which pose a “serious risk” to animals if walked in them.

You can walk any dog ​​from 15 degrees to 10 degrees Celsius, because there is “minimal to no risk”.

“Enjoy discovering nature!” they added.

For large dogs, 7 degrees Celsius is also minimal, while for small or medium-sized dogs it is “low risk”.

“Small dogs or dogs with thin coats may need a coat. Watch out for shivering or reluctance to walk,” she added.

At 4 degrees Celsius it is considered “low risk” for large dogs, but “potentially unsafe” for small or medium dogs.

“Short-haired, small and older dogs may be at risk. Limit walks and watch for signs of hypothermia,” they wrote.

Small, medium and large dogs are “potentially unsafe” if walked at one degree Celsius, or minus one degree, but the risk increases to “high risk” if small or medium dogs are walked when it is minus four outside.

“Potentially life-threatening, especially for smaller breeds,” they said.

“And the risk is greater when it is wet.”

At minus six degrees, the risk changes to ‘severe’ for small dogs, but remains ‘very high’ for medium-sized dogs and ‘potentially unsafe’ for large dogs.

That changes to a “very high” risk for medium and large dogs at minus nine degrees, while still “severe” for small dogs.

Anything below minus nine, and you should limit time outdoors for “quick toilet breaks only, especially for small dogs with thin coats.”