{"id":24589,"date":"2026-01-23T09:02:21","date_gmt":"2026-01-23T15:02:21","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/vetmed.tamu.edu\/news\/?p=24589"},"modified":"2026-01-23T09:47:27","modified_gmt":"2026-01-23T15:47:27","slug":"winter-weather-tips-for-animals-plants-and-pipes","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/vetmed.tamu.edu\/news\/homepage\/winter-weather-tips-for-animals-plants-and-pipes\/","title":{"rendered":"Protecting Animals, Plants, and Pipes From Winter Weather"},"content":{"rendered":"
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\"Cattle<\/figure>\n<\/div>\n\n\n

Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences and AgriLife experts share essential tips for preparing animals and properties for freezing temperatures.<\/em><\/p>\n\n\n\n

Freezing temperatures eventually reach every corner of Texas, despite the state\u2019s famously unpredictable winter weather. With advance preparation, Texans can reduce damage to their homes and landscapes while keeping animals safe when temperatures drop.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine & Biomedical Sciences (VMBS)<\/a> and Texas A&M AgriLife experts offer practical, research-informed guidance to protect animals, plants, and pipes during winter cold snaps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Keep Pets Indoors and Watch for Cold-Weather Risks<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Texas A&M veterinary experts urge Texans to bring pets indoors during freezing weather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

When outdoor time is unavoidable, pets that spend time outdoors need well-insulated shelters just large enough to trap body heat, said Dr. Lori Teller<\/a>, a VMBS clinical professor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Pet homes with rigid foam insulation and elevated floors \u2014 filled with deep straw bedding \u2014<\/sub>\u2014 help keep pets warm. Avoid using blankets and towels because they retain moisture.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Teller said pets most vulnerable to cold include those that are short-coated, small, underweight, elderly, or very young. She recommends using sweaters or jackets to help thin-coated pets retain heat. These pets should spend minimal time outside during freezing temperatures.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signs of hypothermia include shivering, pale gums, reluctance to walk and collapsing.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Salt and chemical deicers can irritate or poison pets. If pets are exposed to these products, owners should wash pets\u2019 paws with warm water and mild shampoo after outdoor exposure, Teller said. She recommends using paw balm and booties for added protection.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

If multi-day freezes are forecast, owners should bring pets indoors, stock food and medications, and prepare warm bedding in case of power outages or burst pipes. Texans should also review state and local laws such as the <\/a>Safe Outdoor Dogs Act<\/a>, which sets minimum shelter standards during extreme weather.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Prepare to Protect Livestock Before Texas Temperatures Drop<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

Texas livestock owners face different winter challenges depending on their region, said Dr. Eric Kneese<\/a>, VMBS clinical associate professor.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Texas Panhandle producers often face prolonged freezes and blizzards, while Central and East Texas operations cope with wet, cold conditions and wind chills. In South Texas, producers may deal with short but sharp temperature drops.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cPreparation looks different depending on location, but the principles are the same:<\/strong> reduce wind exposure, keep animals dry, ensure reliable water access and provide enough nutrition,\u201d Kneese said.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Producers should utilize windbreaks such as tree lines, brush, natural terrain features, barns, or temporary barriers \u2014 including tarps or plywood \u2014 on windward sides of shelters. In addition, rolling out hay can help provide dry, insulated ground for livestock to rest.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Healthy cattle tolerate cold well when they are dry and shielded from wind, and horses benefit from run-in sheds, covered areas, or barn aisles, according to Kneese.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Reliable water access becomes one of the biggest challenges during freezes. In the Panhandle, many producers rely on tank heaters to keep water from freezing during long cold spells. Farther south in Central Texas, owners may depend on insulated buckets or make twice-daily rounds to break ice by hand. In South Texas, where freezes are shorter but still damaging, producers focus on making sure automatic waterers continue flowing through sudden cold snaps.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Kneese encourages daily checks for frozen troughs and icy footing or declining body condition of livestock. Kneese said many owners underestimate the impact of brief cold snaps, especially when wind and wet conditions combine.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Water Plants and Protect Tender Species<\/h3>\n\n\n\n

From the subtropical Rio Grande Valley to the cold Panhandle, winter plant protection varies, according to Mike Arnold, Ph.D.<\/a>. However, watering thoroughly is always the first step. Arnold is a professor in the Department of Horticultural Sciences<\/a> in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences<\/a> and director of The Gardens at Texas A&M University<\/a>.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

\u201cWell-watered plants survive freezes better than drought-stressed ones,\u201d Arnold said. \u201cMoist soil freezes more slowly, providing insulation during sudden temperature drops.\u201d<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Before a freeze, Arnold recommends homeowners:<\/p>\n\n\n\n