Important Tips When the Mercury Dips
Hot summer days and warm autumn afternoons have waned to frosty mornings and chilly nights. With the approach of winter weather, remember that your animals will need preparation for the cold months ahead. Even with coats of feathers, fur, or hair, they are still vulnerable in colder weather, and following some simple safety precautions can keep your companion animals warm, safe, and sound.
Here at Pasado’s Safe Haven, our animals anticipate the change of season with bulkier winter coats and an increased preference for covered areas. With the approach of winter weather, taking cold-weather precautions for your pets is vital for their health and safety.
For those who share their homes with feline companions, it’s important to keep them indoors. If your cat is indoor-outdoor, make sure that there’s suitable covered shelter available with warm bedding and access to water. Similar precautions should be taken if you share your property with feral cats. Here at Pasado’s, our feral cats enjoy shelter in the barn and warmth from plenty of hay and wool shorn from our sheep.
It takes added energy to stay warm during cold weather. Plenty of food and warmth ensures that your pets maintain a healthy weight and have immune systems that can thwart off illnesses.
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It’s important to be especially cautious
once the snow starts falling. Dogs lose
their bearing because everything looks
different. Familiar sounds, like your voice,
are muffled, and familiar smells are
blanketed. Without these sensory cues,
navigation is difficult, and many lost
companion animals end up at area shelters
during the winter months.
Have coats available for short-haired dogs
who don’t have an undercoat or are otherwise
ill-equipped for the cold weather. Here at
Pasado’s Dog Towne, our happy hounds have
heated cabins and comfy dog beds to warm up
after a brisk outdoor run.
If you have pets in terrariums or aquariums,
make sure that they aren’t located near
windows with a draft. These pets can get too
cold and die within a relatively short
amount of time.
Here at Pasado’s, our hoofed friends have
24-hour access to covered areas, which is
especially important in winter snow and
rain. We also use heaters to prevent the
water troughs from freezing. Outdoor animals
often need blankets, but let your animals
establish a winter hair “base coat,” using
blankets for particularly cold days. Be
especially careful with older equines who
may have arthritis or are otherwise
vulnerable to the elements. Arthritis
supplements for older horses and dogs often
help them get through those cold winter
months.
Plenty of food, water, and warmth are
integral to a companion animal safely
“weathering it out.” A few safety
precautions can ensure that your animals
have a safe, happy, and healthy winter.
Here at Pasado’s, many of our animals are
lifetime residents. Providing full-time care
for them during every season can become
expensive, but thanks to the support of
donors like you, our animals receive
first-rate care.
Please consider making a donation – your
support helps save lives during every
season! Thank you – from all of the animals
here at Pasado’s.
(don't forget
to ask your employer
to match your donation)
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