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When you snuggle up in front of the fire or heater this winter give a thought to the pet outside. Some dogs are not dressed for the cold and need a good warm spot to snuggle, at your feet or in front of the fire. Your cat extended this invitation, why not your dog?
If designed for cold conditions, give the pet a good dog house to get into, a nice pillow or two with a good rough blanket. Dogs prefer the rougher blankets, too warm and they perspire, aeration around the body and the comfort is what they wish for. Some dogs will not enter a dog house, then place a blanket for them in their favourite spot. Easy to find, there is normally a good indentation where they have chosen to lie.
Smaller dogs not allowed in the homestead, living in the dog box, can wear a dog jersey obtainable from all pet shops. Socks for their paws, I don't think so, some how they're designed to withstand the cold, bare feet for the human unbearable, but a dog, no problem. Socks that get wet can become a discomfort, which the dog can have difficulty discarding, so the paws are constantly damp and the cold, worst.
Watch a dog curl up in the cold, their paws pulled into the body and turned up, a natural way for them to keep their paws warm. Feed them in the early afternoon sustenance for keeping them warm, a warm breakfast stimulates the body and assists the daily chores.
Water bowls, a must for all the pets, good clean water placed in a protected site to avoid freezing, dogs look stupid with a block of ice stuck to the tongue. If there is no place of protection, give them fresh water every morning, they will naturally drink and slake their thirst. Remember, animals in the wild will drink once or twice a day, so removing the water in the late evening will not dehydrate the pooch over night.
Wind and black frost a problem in some areas, protect the out-side dog from these, build small wind breaks or shelters where they can seek shelter if they so wish. Some dogs you need not worry, they're built for the snow and the rain, they will lie in a flat prone posture, and ignore what nature has to offer. These are normally long-haired characters, the short-haired varieties are the ones to take pity on.
I advocate allowing your pet to gain a small amount of weight within the autumn period. It gives stored up carbohydrates for the animal to use for heat production, when I say gain weight, a small amount, a fat dog is unhealthy, and the chances are will feel the cold more.
Wake up people of the southern hemisphere, the winter is on its way, prepare yourselves for the oncoming cold, but more importantly give consideration to the pets your responsible for. They do rely on you and are probably already telling you temperatures are dropping in the evening, take the time to watch them, they understand the climate far better than you or I.
I often wondered if you could keep dogs outside all winter long. I wouldn't do it. I would break down and bring them inside. I only thought dogs like huskies could withstand freezing temps and inclement weather. Good to know about the wet socks. Found this article very interesting. Thanks.
Thanks AnnMarie, we have one who will come and join us inside till bed time, then he goes out, lies there as if he is enjoying the cold.
Growing up we always had little dogs with jackets my mum made. She even appliquéd our house number on them and they looked like racing stripes!! Now that we're contemplating a move to Canada our kids wanted to know if the dog and cat would grow more fur between their toes to cope with the snow! Too cute! Great article Rob. Winter is definitely creeping into the southern hemisphere mornings although it is all relative!
From where you are to Canada, will you not feel that cold even more? You will probably find the dogs enjoy it more than you, they can somehow adapt so much quicker than us.
Our cats seem to seek out and find the warm spots very well. We sometimes wonder why they sleep on a particular bit of floor and then realise that the heating pipes are under there. Dogs seem different and do need that bit more attention, though in the past I have found that some love the snow. :-)
This I have found myself the dog I expect to feel the cold the most is the one that lies out in the cold and frost, crazy actually.
Great article, I agree that we as pet owners need to really consider that they get cold as well and he go one step further and get matching coats lol. Thank you Rob
Great article. To many people forget their pets in the winter time.
So true Daniel, I sneak mine in. but the wife don't mind.
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