Winter is as hard on pets as it is on humans. Responsible pet owners need to stay focused on weather changes and react accordingly. If you feel uncomfortable with the outdoor temperatures, then your pet might be feeling that as well. If at all possible, try to keep pets inside as often as possible when Winter weather comes around.
Dogs that enjoy outdoor activities should have their food supply increased, and feeding your dog a better quality, higher protein diet can help him hold up better to colder temperatures. Higher protein food can also help to keep your dogs fur in better shape to protect against cold temps!
Whenever your dog comes in after being out in snow or sleet, thoroughly dry off her legs and stomach with an absorbent towel. Carefully wipe your pets paws off, making sure there is no ice melt on their paws. Most animals will try to lick ice melt off their paws because it burns. Unfortunately, products such as ice melt are dangerous to pets, especially if they ingest it. Car Anti Freeze can be fatal! Always act responsibly and put the needs of your pet and the environment ahead of personal convenience. Try to only use Pet Friendly Ice Melt products, instead of traditional rock salt or calcium chloride.
Never leave a pet locked in a car during cold weather. Cars can actually act like a refrigerator and hold cold air in, putting your pet at risk.
Do not let your dog off his leash in snow, unless they are in a safely enclosed outdoor area. Dogs can lose their scent and become lost very quickly when it snows. More dogs get lost during Winter than any other time of year.
For dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and other small animals, always provide satisfactory bedding, and make sure your pet is away from drafts. Interior walls are often warmer, and less likely to have drafts. Sit down where you want your pet to sleep, before deciding on a spot. A draft that is closer to the floor might not be noticeable when you are standing up!
In the event that an animal must stay outside, as a responsible pet owner you must take actions and precautions. For pet dogs, provide a dog house or shelter that is strong and draft-free. Plastic ones are often insulated, which helps protect against the cold. Adding a plastic door that easily flaps open either way can help reduce the cold, and allow the pet’s body heat to stay inside the house. Keep the bottom of the shelter high enough off the ground to keep out water or snow. Try to point the entrance facing south, and away from the direction from which wind in your area frequently blows.
Consider putting the dog shelter on a rubber utility mat or stall mat, as some people call it. This also gives your pet a dry place to lay on a warmer day. You can line the inside of the pet shelter with a generous layer of straw, which acts as a layer of insulation, and add a comfortable pet bed as well. Note: always use Straw as an animal bedding, not hay. Hay is used to feed horses and other animals, and has seeds which are more likely to germinate and grow where you don’t want them. When you think cold weather protection, always think Straw!
If you have an outside cat or you help feral cats in your area, you can provide a small insulated dog house for their protection. Follow all the tips above concerning placement and insulation. If you wish to actually construct a feral cat house, build a square box with 3 to 4 foot sides. Add a sloping roof so water runs off, and build it so the top can be removed for cleaning. Experts suggest adding 2 ways in or out of the cat house, so they can make quick exits as protection against unwelcome predators. If you make 2 ways in and out, be sure to stagger them so the wind does not blow through.
If you have an outside rabbit hutch, please consider the wind direction and add a protected area for the rabbits to get out of the cold. Many good hutches are available with built in nesting box protection. If not add a Rabbit Den and wind guards to the sides. Plastic covers are available to block the wind, rain and snow. Line the inside of the hutch with an area for straw to help insulate.
If at all possible, try to find a better home for your pet than keeping them outside. Often, people overlook using their garage, the basement or even a spare bedroom for their pets. You owe it to your pet to provide for their needs and to treat them as family!
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