Winter Storms and Your Livestock

Winter Storms and Your Pets and Livestock

Winter storms can impact animal health as well as human health. Wind chills and prolonged cold increases an animal's need for shelter, food and water. Dehydration can be a great hazard during winter storms. Prepare now to protect your pets and livestock during winter storms.

Use this checklist to make plans for your pets and livestock before, during, and after a winter storm situation.

Winter Storms and Your Livestock [PDF]

Winter Storms and your Pets [PDF]

Protecting Livestock During Winter Storms

Before a Winter Storm

Develop an emergency plan of action.

  • How will you get feed supplies in the case of road closures?
  • How will you supply water with freezing temperatures?
  • Plan ahead for emergency or alternative heat sources (e.g., for poultry facilities).
  • How will a power outage or fuel shortage impact the care and well-being of my livestock? What back up plan would you use?
  • Have well maintained backup generators for livestock production operations.
  • How will needed services (e.g., milk pickup) be provided? Or what will you do if needed services are not provided due to road closures?

Maintain an inventory.

  • Keep a current list of all animals on your farm.
  • Include their location and any records of vaccinations, testing and ownership.
  • Make sure animals have some form of permanent identification (e.g., ear tags, tattoos).
  • Establish a list of suppliers, truckers, and people that can help with the animals, if needed.

Set up shelter or windbreak areas for animals kept outdoors.

  • Shallow open front sheds
  • Windbreaks or timber-covered lowlands
  • Solid sided feed wagons can serve as temporary wind protection; place plywood or bales of straw under wagon to block the wind.

Winterize any building that may provide shelter for your livestock.

  • Check roof structure and stability to hold the heavy weight of accumulated snow and ice.
  • Repair any roof leaks.
  • Install storm shutters, doors, and windows.

During a Winter Storm

Provide food.

  • Haul extra feed to feeding areas.
  • Check mechanized feeders in case of power outages; provide for emergency feeding procedures.
  • Provide enough space for all animals to get to the feed.

Provide water.

  • Remove ice buildup around waterers.
  • Use heaters in water tanks.
  • If pipes freeze or power is out you may need to haul water to animals.

Provide shelter.

  • If possible, move animals to an indoor shelter or building, especially the young.
  • Provide additional bedding to keep animals insulated from the ground and keep them dry.
  • Place sand or other non-toxic gritty material on icy feedlots to provide good footing.
  • Ensure heaters are working properly and are located in an area with adequate ventilation.

Ensure adequate ventilation in the building.

  • If mechanically ventilated facilities are not functioning properly, animals could suffocate from lack of oxygen.
  • Open vents to facilitate natural air flow.
  • Clear ice and snow from vents.

After a Winter Storm

Animal disposal.

  • Record any animal deaths.
  • Check with your state or local authorities for proper disposal methods for animal carcasses.

Check fences and buildings for damage from downed tree branches, contact with downed power lines, or inoperable electric fencing.

Monitor animals daily for signs of illness dehydration, frostbite or hypothermia.

  • If any of these conditions are suspected, SEEK VETERINARY CARE IMMEDIATELY!

Cold-Related Illnesses

Frostbite

  • Extremities (ears, tail) are particularly subject to frostbite. Male reproductive organs may be affected and impair animal fertility. Frozen or chapped teats will impact milk production.
  • Signs may not be immediately obvious or show for several days and may include white, waxy or pale appearance to affected area, sioughing of freeze-damaged tissue.

    • Hypothermia

    • Signs include extreme shivering, increased respiration, and confusion, erratic or clumsy behavior, especially young animals.

    Additional Resources

    Preparing Your Cattle For Severe Winter Weather
    Tips for preparing cattle for severe winter weather.
    University of Minnesota Extension
    Severe Cold Weather Rangeland and Livestock Considerations
    Considerations for preparing livestock for severe winter weather.
    Colorado State University Extension
    Winter Power Failure On The Farm: Keeping Animals and Equipment Safe
    Factsheet describing precautions to take to protect poultry, livestock and equipment during a power outage in the winter.
    University of Wisconsin Extension
    Winter Storm Resources
    USDA disaster assistance programs and operation recovery tools.
    U.S. Department of Agriculture
    Windbreaks and Snow Management
    Information on design, location and benefits of windbreaks.
    South Dakota Department of Agriculture and Natural Resources
    Windbreaks for Snow Management
    Information on designing windbreaks.
    U.S. Forest Service

    Protecting Pets During Winter Storms

    Before the Winter Storm

    Stock up on food for your pet.

    • In the event of road closures, be sure to have extra food available for your pet.
    • If your pet is on continual medications, have at least a two-week supply on hand.

    Identification.

    • All pets should have some sort of identification (collar with tag, microchip).
    • Take a photo of the pet and keep it with the medical records.
    • Include any proof of ownership materials (e.g., registration, proof of purchase, adoption records, microchip information).

    During a Winter Storm

    Bring your pets inside immediately.

    • Bring pets indoors, into the house or garage, to provide warm shelter.
    • Keep pets away from any alternate heating sources being used to avoid burns.

    If you can’t bring them inside,

    • Provide adequate shelter to keep them warm.
    • NEVER leave your pet chained outside or enclosed in a way they cannot escape danger.
    • Pets that live outdoors should be fed a bit more in the winter because they need the extra calories to stay warm.
    • Remember to provide fresh water and ensure that the water does not freeze.
    • Check often to make sure that access to food and water is not blocked by snow drifts, ice or other obstacles.
    • Use a plastic dish to prevent your pet’s tongue from freezing to a metal bowl.

    If your pet goes outdoors,

    • Most long-haired or full-coated dogs do fine in winter with just their own, natural coats.
    • Shorter-coated dogs need a dog coat to protect them from the wind, snow, and cold.
    • Check their paws upon their return to make sure that ice is not building up between the toes, or that salt or ice melt is not irritating the skin.
    • Never leave your pet alone in the car for prolonged periods during the winter. Your car can become a freezer quickly.
    • Check underneath your car’s hood for small animals (like cats) that may have crawled inside seeking warmth.

    Winter-Related Illnesses

    Prolonged exposure to low temperatures, wind or moisture can result in cold-related illness for pets.

    • If any of these conditions are suspected,SEEK VETERINARY CARE IMMEDIATELY!
    • Antifreeze.
      • Ingesting anti-freeze can be fatal for your dog or cat. If you spill some, soak it up immediately.
    • Frostbite.
      • Pets can get frostbite very easily on the ears, tail and paws. If your pet goes outdoors, be aware of the temperature and wind chill.
      • Signs may not be immediately obvious and may not show for several days.
      • Signs: white, waxy or pale appearance to extremities (e.g., toes, nose, ears, tail); skin is cold and numb with loss of feeling; sloughing of skin.

    • Hypothermia.
      • Occurs when the core body temperature drops to a level at which normal muscle and brain functions are impaired.
      • Pets can become hypothermic after being in cold temperatures for long periods of time or from being wet in cold conditions.
      • Signs include extreme shivering, slow, shallow breathing, gums may be pale or blue, and the animal may be unresponsive.
      • Warm the animal’s body SLOWLY and start with the body core first, NOT the extremities.
      • Do not give the animal anything HOT to drink. Warm broth or food is better.

    Additional Resources

    Cold Weather Animal Safety
    Tips for keeping your pets safe during the winter.
    American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA)