LOUISVILLE, Ky. — With all the time we're spending at home these days, our pets are probably getting a lot of attention! Taking your dog on a walk is a great way to "socially distance" yourself and get a little exercise in, too. Of course, we have to think about how our weather here in Kentuckiana can affect our pets just as much as it affects us.
On very cold days, it can be too chilly to let your pets spend much time outside. The good news is that we don't see temperatures this cold in Kentuckiana very often, but it has happened in recent years.
If the temperature falls to around 5 degrees, a light breeze can easily make it feel like 10 below. That is definitely too cold for pets to be outside for more than a minute or two.
Something else to remember during colder weather is what kind of animal you have. Small dogs and dogs with short hair get cold more quickly than larger dogs with longer hair.
Now let's talk heat. When temperatures heat up, we have to think about how that may affect our pets - especially their paws on hot pavement.
On a warm and sunny day with high temperatures around 85 degrees, concrete and asphalt can heat up to anywhere from 105 to 130 degrees if the ground is in direct sunlight. Imagine if it was an even warmer day than that!
Hot pavement can really hurt your dog's footpads so try and walk them in the grass where it can be much cooler on hot days.
I hope this information helps you keep your furry friends safe during all of the seasons we see here in Kentuckiana!
Contact meteorologist Kaitlynn Fish at kfish@whas11.com and follow her on Twitter (@KaitlynnFish) and Facebook.
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