Advice For Taking Care Of A Pet In Winter Time

Cold weather can be severe for those pets that stay outdoors. In some cases, the pets that live indoors also need additional care during cold temperatures. Taking time to get your pets ready to withstand cold is vital to prevent severe medical issues due from it. Protecting your pet in winter time can be done by following these tips.

Many owners do not think about the outdoor cats during winter. Many people think cats are self preservative and can tale of themselves during cold weather. However, cats will look for a warm place out of the weather and many unfortunate times this place has been on the engine of car. Those owners with cats that always stay outdoors should prepare a small enclosure on a porch or inside a garage for their cats to use as winter weather housing. Always check under the hood of your car before starting it as well.

Many dogs remains outside all year long. Providing housing, especially in those areas that have frequent snow, sleet, and ice, should be done in careful manner. The dog house that has heat in these cases is vital. Make sure the house is off the ground and that there is a door to prevent precipitation and winds from blowing inside.

Older pets should be taken indoors at all costs in the event of severe cold weather. Many medical issues can be worsened by colder temperatures, even without the addition of snow or other precipitation. Many conditions will cause a pet not top be able to regulate their body temperature for the colder temperatures. This is especially true for those animals that are small and have short hair.

The pet that has arthritis should be closely guarded in cold weather. The cold makes for worsening of pain and stiffness in the joints. Talk to your vet about prescribed pain medicine for your arthritic pet during the colder months. Make sure to keep these pets indoors as well. Place soft bedding on hard floors to help prevent worse symptoms.

Indoor animals that go out into snow should have their feet cleaned and dried upon coming back indoors. This helps to remove rock salt and other melting agents from their pads to prevent chapped and raw skin. Small dogs can use a sweater in those areas that are deeply cold outside. You should check into booties for all dogs in this colder months.

Take care to feed your pet a highly nutritional diet during colder times. This helps their body to have the calories needed to produce energy and heat. Be sure to keep an eye on water bowls in the event they become frozen. Check with your vet about any special diets that can be fed during severe cold weather.

The cold is harder on everyone, even those creatures with a thick coat of fur. Be sure to take time to follow these tips and get your pets ready for the winter time. Your pet could end up very sick or dead from temperatures that drop below freezing. Prevent this occurrence and do your part in winterizing for pets.