HOT DOGS...COOL CATS

Feb. 3, 2008

PETA, among other organizations, has recently been sending around press releases regarding how to best take care of your pets during the winter months, and with good reason. Every year, PETA – along with many Animal Control offices – receives complaints about dogs who are left outside in the cold, and it only takes one walk through most neighborhoods in the heart of February to see pets eagerly waiting by the door to be let back into their warm houses. Pets have fur coats, yes - but that does not exempt them from frostbite, exposure, stress, windchill, and dehydration in the winter months.

INDOORS IS BEST
Backyard dogs are at particular risk. If your dog must be kept outdoors, be sure the doghouse is made of wood (metal being a poor insulator) and position the doghouse in a sunny, wind-free if possible, location. The house should also be raised off the ground several inches, with straw on the floor for bedding, and a flap over the door to keep out cold drafts.
As a general rule, PETA suggests that you keep your animals inside, especially younger animals (puppies and kittens), smaller animals (think Chihuahuas or terriers), elderly animals, and dogs with short hair, including beagles and pointers. Make sure they have a warm place to sleep, away from house drafts, and off the floor if possible; there are tons of choices for dog and cat beds, or you can just make use of an old blanket. When you do take these animals outside, a warm sweater or dog coat will help them retain heat; and make sure your pet, whether dog or cat, has you looking after them when they’re outside, as many animals can become disoriented when snow covers the ground, and may have a difficult time finding their way back home. The ASPCA also reminds pet owners to make sure that your pets wear their ID tags, in case they do get lost during a snowstorm or other bad weather; it’ll make it that much easier for pet rescuers to get your pet returned to you.
There are special winter concerns for cats, too - cats sometimes climb under the hoods of cars to find warmth near the engine, and can be hurt or even killed when the car is started (if there are cats in your neighborhood, just bang on the hood of your car before starting the engine to give the cat a chance to escape. Cats left outdoors are often exposed to infectious diseases and attacks from other wildlife, so keep an eye on your feline pets.

FOOD AND SAFETY
Humans tend to consume more carbs during the winter, and it makes sense that animals need more calories, too, especially protein. Increase your pets’ food rations during the winter months to help them stay warm. If their food dishes are outdoors, choose plastic as opposed to metal, because when the temperature is low, your pet can actually get stuck to a metal bowl. Also, be sure that they’ve had their medical checkups, so that no medical conditions are robbing them of nutrients they need, especially this time of year.
Make sure that you towel off your dogs’ or cats’ legs, feet, and stomachs after they return inside; road salt, antifreeze, and other chemicals can make animals sick, and both cats’ and dogs’ paw pads may become cut from snow or encrusted ice, so it’s best to check. (It’s even better to use antifreeze-coolant made with propylene glycol, according to the Humane Society; if swallowed in small amounts, it runs less risk of hurting pets or wildlife.) And just like you shouldn’t leave your pet in a hot car during the summer, don’t leave them in the car in the winter, either; a car can act like a refrigerator in cold months, holding in the chill and literally freezing your pet to death.
If you do run across a stray pet or even hurt wildlife outside in the cold, try to take it inside until you can find its owner, or take it to an animal shelter. If the animal won’t let you near it, at least provide some food and some water to help prevent dehydration, and call your local humane society immediately.

For more hints and additional info, check out www.helpinganimals.com, www.aspca.org, or www.hsus.org.