Published on September 10, 2007

It's Fall, and Winter is just around the corner. Everyone is getting prepared, putting up storm windows, changing the anti-freeze in their cars, and exchanging summer clothes for winter woolens. But what can we do to help our four-legged friends? Here are a few ideas to consider.

Cold Weather and Your Pet

It's fall, and winter is just around the corner. Everyone is getting prepared, putting up storm windows, changing the anti-freeze in their cars, and exchanging summer clothes for winter woolens. But what can we do to help our four-legged friends? Here are a few ideas to consider.

Let's start with pets that live outside. What kind of shelter have we provided for them? In the Atlanta area, the cold wind comes from the northwest, and that wind can be uncomfortable for an outdoor dog or cat. It's a good idea to make sure that when Spot goes into his doghouse to escape the wind, the entrance is positioned so that the cold air doesn't blow inside. Flattened cardboard boxes under a blanket would be good insulation from that cold earth or wooden floor, and if it gets really cold and you can't bring him inside, then a light bulb inside the shelter can help provide a little warmth.

If your pet stays in the garage, a blanket would be far more comfortable than sleeping on that cold concrete, which increases the chance of bladder infection. And speaking of garages, keep in mind that dogs and cats love the taste of anti-freeze. As little as a teaspoon is fatal unless the animal is treated within ten to twelve hours. Please make sure that those automotive chemicals are stored in a container that is tightly closed.

For an indoor pet, it is much the same. Would you want to spend the night on that cold tile in the kitchen? Does that draft from the pantry make you shiver? Older dogs and cats especially feel the effects of the cold. If you need to put on a sweater, it's possible that your pet would also like one.

Going from a warm house to the cold outside and back again tends to make catching a cold easier, the same as it is for us humans. When it rains, it is a good idea to keep a towel handy to dry your pet's feet when he comes back inside. That dampness and cold are the things most likely to cause your pet problems this winter.

Mostly we need to just keep an eye on our pets. Lethargy, shivering and sneezing mean about the same things for them as it does for us in colder weather. Treat them as you would a child; make sure that they are comfortable and warm, and Winter won't be a hardship. And as always, should symptoms persist, or if you have any questions, please contact your veterinarian.

Printed with Permission

Loving Touch Animal Center - 1975 Glenn Club Drive - Stone Mountain, GA 30087