We don’t even have to battle the weather outside anymore to know it’s wicked cold! We have all seen enough pictures of dashboard temperature gauges on Facebook to know that it is COLD outside!
While we are busy adding on the layers and hoping it’s socially acceptable to wear furry house slippers out of the house, it is extremely important to keep our furry friends in mind as well while we battle these brutally cold temperatures! Although they have a coat of fur that we don’t have (most of us, anyway), they still need an escape from the freezing cold weather!
Some useful tips for pet owners include the following:
1. Allow your cats to join you inside. Outside, they can freeze.
2. In the winter, outdoor felines often sleep under the hoods of cars. Unfortunately when the engine is started, the cat can be injured or even killed by the fan belt. If there are outdoor cats in your area, tap loudly on the hood before starting the engine to give the cat a opportunity to escape.
3. Never let your dog off the leash on ice or snow, especially during a snowstorm, dogs can lose their scent and easily become lost. More dogs are lost during the winter than during any other season, so make sure your dog always wears ID tags.
4. Thoroughly clean off your dog’s legs and stomach when he comes in out of the sleet, snow or ice. It is possible to ingest salt, antifreeze or other potentially dangerous chemicals while licking their paws.
5. Make sure your animal has a warm space to sleep, off the floor and away from all drafts. A comfy dog or cat bed with a warm pillow or blanket is perfect.
6. Don’t ever leave your cat or dog alone in a car during cold weather. A vehicle can act as a refrigerator during the winter, holding in the cold and can cause the pet to freeze to death.
7. Young puppies do not handle the cold weather as well as adult dogs, making it hard to housebreak during the winter. If your puppy seems to be sensitive to the weather, you may decide to paper-train him inside. If your dog is sensitive to the cold due to illness, age or breed type, take him outdoors only to relieve himself.
8. Does your canine spend a lot of time engaged in outside activities? Increase his supply of food, particularly protein, to keep them, and his fur, in tip-top shape.
You take care of your pets while Paul Davis takes care of your home!
To see the communities that Paul Davis Restoration of Idaho (Boise) assists with water, fire, mold and storm damage clean up and repair, click here.
