MACON, Ga. — As the weather dips into colder temperatures, it's important to remember if it's too cold for you, it could be too cold for your pets as well.
At Riverside Animal Hospital, Dr. Angela Shurling has worked as a veterinarian in Macon for 34 years.
Because we don't get a lot of cold weather in Georgia, she said it can catch people off guard.
"People are generally unprepared when we do have cold weather and you know, your pets need to be protected too. They need shelter and shelter from the wind and the wet," Shurling said.
That's why Shurling said if the weather drops into the teens, it's time to bring those outdoor pets inside somewhere- no exceptions.
"Even a garage. If you can't bring them in the house, a temporary setup in a garage, or an outbuilding or something that has protection," she said.
She said some kind of bedding is also important for pets to have during cold weather, which helps them retain body heat.
And puppies, older dogs and short-haired dogs need to be brought inside before it hits the teens because they're more at risk.
Additionally, Shurling said all pets should be fed more during colder days.
"It takes more calories to stay warm and just the act of digestion and burning the calories helps the pet generate some body heat too," Shurling said.
She also wants pet owners to remember that — just like us — pets can get frostbite too.
She recommends paw protection or not walking your pets for long periods of time on cold or frozen pavement.