Freezing Temperatures And Outside Pets – How Cold Is Too Cold?

When temperatures drop to freezing and below, we have a responsibility to make sure our outside animals will be okay. As a rule of thumb, if it's too cold for you, it's too cold for your pet. How cold is too cold for your pet to be outside, 40F? The same goes for heat advisories went temps soar about 80 degrees.

A lot of people have a false sense that if a dog is big, tough, or young they will be okay out in the cold. But, that is simply not true. Dogs and cats can get hypothermia or freeze to death just like humans. Age, weight, or tough exterior, and a thick fur coat have nothing to do with it. A perfect example is what happened to this poor German Shepherd.

According to Louisiana law, it's illegal to leave pets outside when temperatures drop to freezing without any access to warm shelter, to get out of the cold and stay dry.  If you see an animal in distress, please report animal neglect or cruelty to your local law enforcement, Calcasieu Parish Animal Services by calling (337) 721-3730 or an animal control agency immediately.

It's not rocket science. It's just not cool to leave an animal outside in severe weather conditions. In Louisiana people convicted of animal cruelty or neglect can face fines from $5,000 and $25,000, imprisonment from 1 to 10 years, or both. SWLA is under a Severe Weather Alert/ Hard Freeze Warning.