天冷了宠物也要留在室内：狗猫一样会冻伤失温，防冻液漏一点都可能要命
美国兽医协会（AVMA）在其寒冷天气宠物安全指引中提醒，狗和猫在冷天应留在室内。人们常以为有毛就更耐寒，这并不对，狗猫和人一样会冻伤、会失温，长时间留在冰点以下的户外对任何宠物都不安全。
每只宠物的耐寒程度不同，看的是毛的厚薄、体脂、活动量和健康状况。冷天遛狗要缩短时间，患有关节炎的宠物在冬天可能更不舒服；有糖尿病、心脏病、肾病或激素失调的宠物更难调节体温，对冷热极端天气更敏感。入冬前带宠物做一次兽医检查，是 AVMA 给出的第一步。
出门回来要擦净。遛狗时，狗的脚、腿和肚子会沾上融雪剂、防冻液等可能有毒的化学品，回家后把脚、腿和肚子擦干净或洗净，免得宠物舔毛时把毒物吃下去。短毛狗或明显怕冷的狗可以穿毛衣或外套，但要多备几件轮换，湿了的毛衣反而让狗更冷。
防中毒是冬季的硬规矩：防冻液哪怕漏出一点点都可能致命，要马上清理干净，药品、家用化学品和巧克力、木糖醇、洋葱等对宠物有毒的食物都要收好。取暖器要小心使用，宠物可能被烫伤或把取暖器碰倒引发火灾；出门遛狗要避开结冰的池塘和湖面，冰面一旦破裂可能致命。暴风雪和停电也要提前备好至少五天的食物、水和药品。（来源：美国兽医协会）
Cats and Dogs Belong Inside in Cold Weather: Pets Get Frostbite and Hypothermia Too, and a Little Antifreeze Can Kill
The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) says cats and dogs should be kept inside during cold weather, in its cold weather pet safety guidance. The common belief that dogs and cats resist cold better than people because of their fur is untrue: like people, they are susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia, and no pet should be left outside for long periods in below-freezing weather.
Cold tolerance varies from pet to pet based on coat, body fat, activity level and health. Walks should be shortened in very cold weather, cold can worsen conditions such as arthritis, and pets with diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease or hormonal imbalances may have a harder time regulating body temperature. A veterinary exam before the harshest weather arrives is the AVMA's first step for the season.
Wipe down after walks. A dog's feet, legs and belly can pick up deicers, antifreeze and other toxic chemicals outdoors; wiping or washing them back inside reduces the risk of poisoning when the pet licks its fur. Short-coated or cold-sensitive dogs can wear a sweater or coat, with several on hand so a wet one is never reused.
Poisoning prevention is a hard winter rule: clean up antifreeze spills quickly, because even small amounts can be deadly, and keep medications, household chemicals and toxic foods such as chocolate, xylitol and onions out of reach. Use space heaters with caution, keep dogs away from frozen ponds and lakes, and stock at least five days of food, water and medication for storms and power outages. (Source: American Veterinary Medical Association)
来源：美国兽医协会
发布：GSM·美国（发布链接）
图片来源：图：一只金毛犬在雪地里。Wikimedia Commons 图片。 / Photo: A golden retriever in the snow. Image via Wikimedia Commons.
GSM Global · 本篇英文版 English edition of this story
