| Winter is as hard on pets as it is on humans. | | | | Adding a plastic door that easily flaps open either |
| Responsible pet owners need to stay focused on | | | | way can help reduce the cold, and allow the pet's |
| weather changes and react accordingly. If you feel | | | | body heat to stay inside the house. Keep the bottom |
| uncomfortable with the outdoor temperatures, then | | | | of the shelter high enough off the ground to keep |
| your pet might be feeling that as well. If at all | | | | out water or snow. Try to point the entrance facing |
| possible, try to keep pets inside as often as possible | | | | south, and away from the direction from which wind |
| when Winter weather comes around. | | | | in your area frequently blows. |
| Dogs that enjoy outdoor activities should have their | | | | Consider putting the dog shelter on a rubber utility |
| food supply increased, and feeding your dog a better | | | | mat or stall mat, as some people call it. This also |
| quality, higher protein diet can help him hold up better | | | | gives your pet a dry place to lay on a warmer day. |
| to colder temperatures. Higher protein food can also | | | | You can line the inside of the pet shelter with a |
| help to keep your dogs fur in better shape to | | | | generous layer of straw, which acts as a layer of |
| protect against cold temps! | | | | insulation, and add a comfortable pet bed as well. |
| Whenever your dog comes in after being out in | | | | Note: always use Straw as an animal bedding, not |
| snow or sleet, thoroughly dry off her legs and | | | | hay. Hay is used to feed horses and other animals, |
| stomach with an absorbent towel. Carefully wipe | | | | and has seeds which are more likely to germinate |
| your pets paws off, making sure there is no ice melt | | | | and grow where you don't want them. When you |
| on their paws. Most animals will try to lick ice melt off | | | | think cold weather protection, always think Straw! |
| their paws because it burns. Unfortunately, products | | | | If you have an outside cat or you help feral cats in |
| such as ice melt are dangerous to pets, especially if | | | | your area, you can provide a small insulated dog |
| they ingest it. Car Anti Freeze can be fatal! Always | | | | house for their protection. Follow all the tips above |
| act responsibly and put the needs of your pet and | | | | concerning placement and insulation. If you wish to |
| the environment ahead of personal convenience. Try | | | | actually construct a feral cat house, build a square |
| to only use Pet Friendly Ice Melt products, instead of | | | | box with 3 to 4 foot sides. Add a sloping roof so |
| traditional rock salt or calcium chloride. | | | | water runs off, and build it so the top can be |
| Never leave a pet locked in a car during cold | | | | removed for cleaning. Experts suggest adding 2 ways |
| weather. Cars can actually act like a refrigerator and | | | | in or out of the cat house, so they can make quick |
| hold cold air in, putting your pet at risk. | | | | exits as protection against unwelcome predators. If |
| Do not let your dog off his leash in snow, unless | | | | you make 2 ways in and out, be sure to stagger |
| they are in a safely enclosed outdoor area. Dogs can | | | | them so the wind does not blow through. |
| lose their scent and become lost very quickly when it | | | | If you have an outside rabbit hutch, please consider |
| snows. More dogs get lost during Winter than any | | | | the wind direction and add a protected area for the |
| other time of year. | | | | rabbits to get out of the cold. Many good hutches |
| For dogs, cats, rabbits, guinea pigs and other small | | | | are available with built in nesting box protection. If |
| animals, always provide satisfactory bedding, and | | | | not add a Rabbit Den and wind guards to the sides. |
| make sure your pet is away from drafts. Interior | | | | Plastic covers are available to block the wind, rain and |
| walls are often warmer, and less likely to have drafts. | | | | snow. Line the inside of the hutch with an area for |
| Sit down where you want your pet to sleep, before | | | | straw to help insulate. |
| deciding on a spot. A draft that is closer to the floor | | | | If at all possible, try to find a better home for your |
| might not be noticeable when you are standing up! | | | | pet than keeping them outside. Often, people |
| In the event that an animal must stay outside, as a | | | | overlook using their garage, the basement or even a |
| responsible pet owner you must take actions and | | | | spare bedroom for their pets. You owe it to your |
| precautions. For pet dogs, provide a dog house or | | | | pet to provide for their needs and to treat them as |
| shelter that is strong and draft-free. Plastic ones are | | | | family! |
| often insulated, which helps protect against the cold. | | | | |