Winter Weather Tips for Pets

Winter Weather Tips for your four-legged friends! It's a common belief that dogs and cats are resistant than people to cold weather because of their fur, but it's untrue. Like people, cats and dogs are susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia. I. Keep Pets Inside Longer-haired and thick-coated dog breeds, such as huskies and other dogs bred for colder climates, are more tolerant of cold weather; but no pet should be left outside for long periods of time in below-freezing weather. 2. Provide Choices 3. Make Some NOISE! Just like you, pets prefer comfortable sleeping places and may change their location based on their need for more or less warmth. Give them some safe op- tions to allow them to vary their sleeping place to adjust to their needs. A warm vehicle engine can be an appealing heat source for outdoor and feral cats, but it's deadly. Check undemeath your car, bang on the hood, and honk the horn before starting the engine to encourage feline hitchhikers to abandon their roost under the hood. 4. Play Dress Up! If your dog has a short coat or seems bothered by the cold weather, consider a sweater or dog coat. Have several on hand, so you can use a dry sweater or coat each time your dog goes outside. Wet sweaters or coats can actually make your dog colder. Some pet owners also use booties to protect their dog's feet; if you choose to use them, make sure they fit properly. 5. Provide Shelter We don't recommend keeping any pet outside for long periods of time, but if you are unable to keep your dog inside during cold weather, provide them with a wam, dry, solid shelter against wind. If you're able to, consider providing shelters for stray cats in the neighborhood. 6. Be Prepared Cold weather also brings the risks of severe winter weather, blizzards and power outages. Prepare a disaster/emergency kit, and include your pet in your plans. Have enough food, water and medicine (including any prescription medica- tions as well as heartwom and flea/tick preventives) on hand to get through at least 5 days. THAT PLACE THAT thatpetplace.com Information provided by the AVMA at https//www.avma.org/public/PetCare/Pages/Cold-weather-pet-safety.aspx