Protect livestock, pipes, pets from winter weather.
Freezing temperatures eventually reach every corner of Texas, due to the state’s famously unpredictable winter weather. With advance preparation, Texans can reduce damage to their homes and landscapes while keeping animals safe when temperatures drop.
Texas A&M AgriLife exasanAd&M T College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences experts offer practical, research-informed guidance to protect livestock, plants, pipes and pets during winter cold snaps.
Texas livestock owners face different winter challenges depending on their region, said Eric Kneese, DVM, clinical associate professor in the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences.
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.
“Preparation looks different depending on location, but the principles are the same: reduce wind exposure, keep animals dry, ensure reliable water access and provide enough nutrition,” Kneese said.
Producers should utilize windbreaks such as tree lines, brush, natural terrain features, barns or temporary barriers such as tarps or plywood on windward sides of shelters.
In addition, rolling out hay can help provide dry, insulated ground for livestock to rest.
Healthy cattle tolerate cold well when they are dry and shielded from wind. Horses benefit from run-in sheds, covered areas or barn aisles.
Reliable water access becomes one of the biggest challenges during freezes. In the Panhandle and South Plains region, many producers rely on tank heaters to keep water from freezing during long cold spells.
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.
Texas A&M horticulture experts recommend watering and protecting cold-sensitive plants before freezing temperatures.
Pipe insulation is one of the most important — and often overlooked — winter tasks, said Joel Pigg, Texas A&M AgriLife Extension Service program specialist and Texas Well Owner Network coordinato,rBryan-College Station.
“It’s always cheaper to prepare and prevent than to fix things,” Pigg said.
He encourages Texans to buy insulation materials early because pipe wrap and heat tape often sell out once freeze warnings are issued.
Homeowners should insulate well houses, wrap pipes and position safe heat sources before cold weather arrives to protect vulnerable pipes in attics or exterior walls and shield pipes from direct wind, which accelerates freezing.
Pigg warned that a single overlooked line can burst and cause major damage. He recommends preparing in October or November and maintaining protections through March or April, since most Texas freezes hit between late January and February.
Texas A&M veterinary experts urge Texans to bring pets indoors during freezing weather.
When outdoor time is unavoidable, pets need wellinsulated shelters just large enough to trap body heat, said Lori Teller, a clinical professor at the College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences. Pet homes with rigid foam insulation and elevated floors — filled with deep straw bedding — help keep pets warm. Avoid using blankets and towels because they retain moisture.
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.
Signs of hypothermia include shivering, pale gums, reluctance to walk and collapsing.
Salt and chemical deicers can irritate or poison pets. If pets are exposed to these products, owners should wash the paws with warm water and mild shampoo after outdoor exposure, Teller said. She recommends using paw balm and booties for added protection.
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 Safe Outdoor Dogs Act, which sets minimum shelter standards during extreme weather.