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Remember. . . Pets Get Cold Too
Many people fail to realize that pets are just as susceptible to the adverse effects of the cold weather as they are, believing that their dog’s or cat’s fur must be enough to keep them adequately protected. But that just isn’t so. Pets need shelter to keep them warm if they are kept outdoors, and you should take other safety precautions with them when the freezing temperatures and icy conditions of winter weather arrive.
With that in mind, here are a few pointers, courtesy of the ASPCA, on how you can ensure that your pet, be it man’s best friend or a feisty feline, stays protected from the cold this winter.
1. Keep cats inside. Cats can easily freeze outside, where they are also highly susceptible to disease, not to mention being run over by automobiles.
2. Beware of outdoor cats. Oftentimes, outdoor cats seek warmth in the winter by sleeping under cars or on the engine block where it can be warmer. To avoid injuring or killing a cat, look underneath your car before starting the engine, or tap on your hood to scare it away.
3. Dogs should be leashed. Many dogs’ strongest attribute is their sense of smell, something that can easily be lost in a snowstorm. Upon losing their sense of smell, dogs can easily get lost. The ASPCA reports that more dogs are found lost during the winter than in any other season.
4. Wipe your dog or cat down when he comes in from rain, snow, sleet or ice. Cats and dogs can easily ingest salt, antifreeze or other chemicals that are used during the winter and wind up on the ground, simply by stepping in them and then licking their paws. Therefore, wipe off any residue from their paws to minimize the chances of poisoning.
5. Never shave your dog down to the skin in the winter months. Just as a short haircut can help keep your dog cooler in the summertime, so can a long coat of hair keep him warmer in winter.
6. Do not leave your pets alone in the car. Cars can turn into freezers awfully quickly in the wintertime, so leaving your pet in your car when it is cold outside can be a potentially fatal mistake.
7. Be especially careful with puppies or older dogs. Some puppies have a lower tolerance for cold weather than adult dogs, which can make housebreaking difficult. If your puppy seems overly sensitive to cold weather, paper-training him inside is your best bet. Also, as they get older, some dogs become more sensitive to cold weather. In these instances, dogs should only go outside to do their business.
8. Give your pet a warm retreat. Animals, like humans, need a warm place to sleep in cold weather. Make sure your pet does not sleep on a cold floor or anywhere that might be drafty. In some areas it is considered animal cruelty and a punishable offense to keep a dog outdoors without an adequate shelter — a covered place where he can escape the cold and wind. If your dog is strictly an “outside dog,” be sure you have such a shelter and blankets he can snuggle into. To play it safe, allow him to sleep in a garage, shed or a basement when the weather is especially brutal.
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