Winter Warmth

Remember the 100+ temperatures just a few weeks back?  They're gone!  It's getting cold and we've pulled out our winter sweaters and coats, scarves and blankets to keep warm in.  While our friends have natural coats sometimes it's not enough to keep them warm in our environment. 

In the wild they have dens to sleep in, packs to snuggle with, hibernation.  They also spent the summer months putting on fat to insulate them during the winter months.

Living in a home or back yard is different, and we, as the ones responsible for their well being, need to make sure they are comfortable also.  Offer outdoor pets plenty of shelter from the cold and wind.  Add some blankets or a bale of hay for them to nest in.  When it freezes make sure their water doesn't freeze and that they have plenty of it.  If they are a smaller breed they need to be indoors with you (cats too!).

Inside they receive shelter from the elements but it is cooler and drafty.  Of course, they still need to venture outside to take care of business and hopefully you're still exercising them!  A pet bed, blanket, or towels, if you've got hard floors, would be nice ~ especially for older dogs or those with joint issues.

I used to think that increasing their food by a very small amount was good for my babes.  Well, this may be okay if they are underweight but not if they aren't.  Most dogs these days are overfed, and therefore overweight, so DON'T feed them more in the winter.

< Artemis is 10 years old and requires some extra warmth that we provide with a lamp that offers heat.  She has to be warm so she can digest her food.  If she's not...  well, you don't want to know.  I like to decrease the hours the light is on to simulate shorter winter days.  She doesn't exactly hibernate but we do feed her less often.  Water is always available!  

As a side note, snakes, reptiles, arachnids, and other small critters need warmth throughout the year.  For their health, know what your pet needs and provide it.

The fish, which we no longer have, appreciate shorter days too.  Of course, this is a fish geek thing so I won't go into that.

Birds need to be kept warm as well.  They aren't wild, never were.  Their ancestors were but if you've got a bird, it came from a domestic bird.  You can provide places for them to cuddle up in, give them a little more food, and partially cover their cages.   

The best way to make sure your pets are warm is to curl up on the sofa and snuggle with them!!