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 and Texas A&M College of Veterinary Medicine and Biomedical Sciences experts offer practical, researchinformed guidance to protect livestock, plants, pipes and pets during winter cold snaps.
Prepare to protect livestock
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.
Texas A&M experts recommend wind protection, dry shelter and reliable water access to protect livestock during winter freezes. (Sam Craft/Texas A&M AgriLife) 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.
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.
Keep pets indoors and watch for cold-weather risks
Texas A&M veterinary experts urge Texans to bring pets indoors during freezing weather.
Texas A&M veterinary experts recommend indoor shelter, proper bedding and limited outdoor exposure to protect pets during freezes. (Laura McKenzie/ Texas A&M AgriLife) When outdoor time is unavoidable, pets need well-insulated 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 shortcoated, 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.
Water plants and protect tender species
From the subtropical Rio Grande Valley to the cold Panhandle, winter plant protection varies by region as well, said Mike Arnold, Ph.D.. However, watering thoroughly is always the first step. Arnold is a professor in the Department of Horticultural Sciences in the Texas A&M College of Agriculture and Life Sciences and director of The Gardens at Texas A&M University.
Texas A&M horticulture experts recommend watering and protecting coldsensitive plants before freezing temperatures. (Texas A&M Forest Service) “Well-watered plants survive freezes better than drought-stressed ones,” Arnold said. “Moist soil freezes more slowly, providing insulation during sudden temperature drops.”
Before a freeze, Arnold recommends homeowners: Be sure to remove plant covers once temperatures rise above freezing to prevent overheating, Arnold said.
He also advises leaving dead growth on perennials, bananas, palms and many woody plants until late winter or early spring. Pruning too early can cause freeze damage.
“Be patient. Learn to love ugly,” he said.
Winterize pipes and wells ahead of the first freeze
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 coordinator, Bryan-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.
Northern regions need earlier preparation, but South Texas should also plan for the rare — yet still damaging — deep freezes.
Homeowners should: 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.
