Helpful Hints Too Keep Your Pets Warm During Winter Months
It’s already November, and the weather has provided plenty of warmth and sunshine for an excellent
early fall. However, early morning and evening temperatures are starting to drop to freezing and you
need to consider some important reminders if you have pets. Dogs and cats have fur, but that doesn’t
keep them warm when temperatures drop significantly. We do not recommend leaving your pets
outside for extended periods of time during the cold winter months, and especially not puppies. Dogs
and cats experience hot and cold just like humans. If you are cold and shivering and need to go inside,
they probably do too. Northern Nevada is an active community and we love to take our dogs outside
out with us and let our cats run free sometimes. There are a few things to consider when exercising or
leaving your pet outside.
It seems to be all the fashion these days to dress your dog up in sweaters, coats and other canine
clothing. Specific types of dogs like toy or small dogs, old or sick dogs, and short haired dogs can get
colder faster and would benefit from the extra warmth. You need to be careful and not assume this is
the answer to keep them warm if they are outside all day. A sweater covers their body, but your pet will
lose most of their body heat from their feet, ears and respiratory tract. Dogs and cats can still
experience frostbite and hypothermia from being outside in the cold and wet too long. Frostbite can be
more difficult to notice, but if you see ice forming on your pet, their ear tips or tail tips appear white,
gray or red get them inside in a warm bath or wrap in warm blankets. Do not rub the ice off them, let it
melt in the warm water. Hypothermia is caused when your pet cannot keep their body temperature
normal, and is caused by being exposed to cold temperatures for too long. Your dog will shiver, become
lethargic, muscles will stiffen, and heart rate and breathing decreases. If your pet suffers from either of
these conditions it is important you take them to your vet right away. If your family pet will be spending
a long period of time outside consider additional shelter. A dog house should be insulated and have
warm bedding for your dog. A great option is to provide a lift off the ground for the dog bed to avoid
moisture getting in from the ground. As snow rises it could melt inside of the dog house and on the
bedding. Bedding retains moisture so the blankets should be checked regularly to keep them dry and
your dog warm.
The indoor accommodations for your pet are equally important. They should have bedding or beds that
are kept away from drafty areas. For smaller and older pets or dogs with arthritis you can invest in a
heated dog bed to help keep them comfortable. Their water should be fresh each day and leave plenty
of toys to occupy them during the long winter days. Pets can make some of the best cuddlers, which
helps keep you both warm.
Dogs and cats should both have fresh non-iced water to drink from if you leave it outside. Changing the
water twice a day with warm water, keep it in the sun, and sheltered from the wind, to help it from
freezing. Another option is to purchase heated water bowls, available at pet stores and online.
Continuing to exercise your pet through the winter months is important. You should cut down the
amount of exercise your dog gets in extremely cold temperatures, especially with arthritic dogs. When
dogs and cats have been outside playing or exercising they can come into contact with antifreeze, salt
and other chemical melting products. These toxins can be very deadly to animals. Make sure to wipe
their feet and stomach off before they come indoors and begin grooming themselves. There are plenty
of fun exercises you can do with your pets indoors. Cats love to chase things. Be playful with your cat
and keep them active during this time. Dogs can run around the house with you and chase toys to keep
them fit.
Cats should be kept inside because they have a greater chance of freezing. They will look for places of
warmth such as under your car hood which provides them with heat. Once a car is turned on the fan
belt can cause damage to your cat, even killing them. Check the hood by knocking on it a few times to
scare a cat away.
Our community has many feral cats. They need warmth too. You can provide shelter, food and water
for these animals to help keep them alive during the freezing temperatures we get in the winter months.
Do not overfeed pets during winter months, even feral cats. A little extra food, especially protein is
helpful, but overfeeding can lead to other problems. Try to keep the food from freezing, otherwise it is
harder for cats to digest. Just like with your own pets it is a good idea to raise their shelter off the
ground and use things like straw to insulate the house. Straw will repel moisture. If you provide any
type of bedding make sure to change it when they get wet and wash on a regular basis.
Always make sure your pet has tags or is microchipped so they are identifiable if they become lost.
Shelters and Washoe County Regional Animal Services will check this and notify you if your pet is found.
Keeping your dog on a leash helps to keep them safe and with you. It can be dangerous for dogs around
bodies of water that are frozen over as they can fall through.
In summer you should never leave your pet in a car, and the same holds true for winter. The
temperature in your car can drop significantly and your pet can freeze if left for hours. During the
winter months pets should be left home, unless you are going to a pet friendly establishment.
Don’t forget your veterinarian is a great way to get advice regarding your breed of dog or cat and their
temperament for cold weather conditions. You should schedule a check-up and grooming to make sure
your pet is healthy and ready for winter; preventive care can save you more money down the road.
The SPCA has many available dogs and cats ready to be adopted, especially during the holidays. If you
have questions about the type of pet for you family or caring for a pet please come see us or give us a
call. Our passion is dogs and cats and we are here to help you.