By MATT PIKE
St. Joseph Post
The extreme cold temperatures being experienced in the area are not just a danger to people, but also their pets.
Melanie Barnes with Friends of the Animal Shelter says with temperatures as cold as they currently are, it would be a misconception to think just because they are covered with fur your pet is safe outside.
"When those temperatures get into those, I'm going to say single digits, let alone the negatives we're in now, that's when being outside in extended periods I'm going to say 20 minutes plus, can be life threatening to your pets," Barnes tells KFEQ Hotline host Barry Birr. "And so, it is important to make sure that if we can get them inside out of that cole weather that's the best thing you can possibly do."
Barnes says in these cold temperatures it does not take long at all for the effects of frostbite to begin to set in on your pets or even your livestock.
"Very similar in our pets and livestock and usually you'll see it first, yes they are covered in hair but again that's not enough, you'll see it first in those extremities, we call them distal limbs and areas that are centered, so ear tips, noses, and feet and tails."
Barnes says tails and ear tips are the most common areas for pets to get frostbite because they have the least protection.
Barnes says if you're unable to bring a pet into your home to make sure you check their water supply every couple hours and to try to provide more insulated shelter up and away from the ground.