Overview
- Owners should raise dietary energy with digestible protein and quality fats and ensure reliable water access as pets burn more calories to stay warm.
- For dogs, apply fatty paw balms, wash and dry paws after walks, trim fur between toes, consider boots on long outings, favor several shorter walks, and use coats for animals that chill quickly.
- Healthy free-roaming cats can go out if a warm, dry refuge is available, while kittens and senior cats should stay indoors, with insulated shelters or thermally lined hideaways recommended.
- Salt, grit and snow can damage paws and upset stomachs, so check feet regularly, use products such as hirschtalg for inflammation, limit snow eating, and consult a vet if vomiting or diarrhea persists.
- Animal shelters in Hamburg, Kiel, Lübeck and Flensburg report curtailed dog walks, temporary closures and higher costs during the freeze, and note that newly reintroduced street salt in Hamburg is harsh on canine paws.