You don’t even have to battle the weather outside anymore to know it’s freezing! We have all seen enough pictures of dashboard temperature gauges on social media to know that it is COLD outside!
While we are busy piling on the layers and hoping it’s appropriate to wear furry slippers in public, it is crucial to keep our furry little friends in mind as well while we experience these brutally cold temperatures! Even though they have a coat of fur that we don’t have (most of us, anyway), they still need an escape from the freezing cold weather!
Some useful tips for pet owners during the winter include:
1. Keep your cat inside. Outdoors, felines can freeze.
2. During the winter season, outdoor cats sometimes hide under the hoods of cars. Unfortunately when the car is started, the cat can be injured or killed by the fan belt. If there are outdoor cats in your area, bang loudly on the hood of your car before starting the engine to give the cat the chance to escape.
3. Don’t let your dog off the leash on snow or ice, especially during a snowstorm, dogs can lose their scent and easily get lost. More dogs are lost during the winter season than during any other season, so make sure your dog always wears ID tags.
4. Thoroughly wipe off your dog’s stomach and legs when he comes in out of the ice, sleet or snow. He can likely ingest antifreeze, salt or other potentially hazardous chemicals while licking his paws.
5. Be sure that your furry friend has a warm space to sleep, off the floor and away from all drafts. A comfy dog or cat bed with a warm blanket or pillow is perfect.
6. Don’t leave your pet alone in the car during cold weather. A car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold and causing your animal to freeze to death.
7. Young puppies don’t handle the cold temperatures as well as adult dogs, and may be difficult to housebreak during the winter. If your puppy appears to be sensitive to the weather, you may decide to paper-train him inside. If your dog is sensitive to the cold due to breed type, age or illness, take him outdoors only to relieve himself.
8. Does your dog spend a lot of time engaged in activities outdoors? Increase his supply of food, particularly protein, to keep them, and his fur, in the best possible shape.
You take care of your pets while Paul Davis takes care of your home!
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