I live in a place where it doesn't get too cold in the winter. And my dog has a nice layer of thick fur on her. However, some people live in colder places where you definitely need to keep your pets warmer, or if your pet doesn't have the built in ability to keep them warm. Here's some tips from a reader on how to take care of your furry friends during the winter.
Keeping your pets warm during the cold seasons is not an easy task. However, it's a very fun one if you know what to do and you are willing to make some sacrifices for the sake of your furry friends. Most pets cannot control their body temperature and that means that you need to keep them warm in order to prevent them from freezing because that can cause fatal damage.
1. Keep Their Paws Dry
When it comes to the outside elements, the paw pads of your furry friend can be quite sensitive, especially if the ground outside is freezing, which can definitely cause discomfort for your pet. Keeping their paws dry can reduce the chances of freezing and frostbite. It can be as easy as taking a warm rag and giving their paws a wipe down or, if you feel the need, there are a number of footwear options available for your pets – just search dog boots Canada to find the perfect booties for your furry buddy.
2. Buy Them a Coat
One of the best ways to keep your furry friend warm is to buy a nice pet coat which will keep them warm and keep them out of the weather. The pet coat that you choose should have a liner on the inside that will stop your pet's skin from getting damp. It also has an outer layer that will help you keep your dog warm and prevent moisture from seeping into its fur. You can buy different kinds of animal coats that are made for different animals, such as those designed for dogs or cats. If you're looking to buy a pet coat to give as a gift for someone else, consider purchasing one of those that is specially made for their animal. These will look good and they will also be very useful in keeping your pets warm when it is cold outside.
3. Consider a Heater
If your pet is housed outside, or in an area where there is less heat than in the rest of the property, it might be advisable to consider a heater. These heaters can be portable size, and they don’t have to be anything excessive – just as long as they heat a living space then it will serve the purpose intended.
However, if they are in a space with a heater, you will want to ensure they have plenty of water to make sure they stay hydrated, dehydration can happen as pets have a harder time regulating their temperature. If the heater has a timer setting then it might be advisable to use this to ensure they don’t get overheated.
4. Consider Their Living Area
If your pet lives outside, then it might be a good idea during the colder months to relocate them to an enclosed space. If you are not comfortable bringing them into the house, then maybe there is a garage or other space they can live in while the weather is less than livable for them. If they do live in an enclosed space, it will be easier to supply a heater for them to keep them warm – as long as they aren’t directly exposed to the elements, they are less likely to suffer from hypothermia or frostbite.
5. Bring Them in the House
This might seem like an obvious choice, but if your pet lives outside then it might be advisable to bring them in. This will help them thrive in a warm environment, and they won’t feel excluded from the family. Granted, you will want to make sure they have plenty of access to the outside to use the restroom, whether through a doggy door or you letting them outside. Upon letting them back into the house it might help your pet to give their paws a wipe down to get rid of any frost that may cause them some overall discomfort.
Conclusion
Whether you have a dog, a cat, or a horse, there are a number of ways to keep your pet warm this holiday season, it really comes down to the options you have at your disposal and what is the best plan you come up with. In short, if you are able to offer them a winter coat, or a sweater, and you keep them dry in a warm environment then they will likely be very happy with you and will make it through the cold seasons safely without any complications like frostbite or hypothermia.