The end of summer is fast approaching. Prepare your pets for cooler weather by using the following tips.
Set Up Warm Shelter
If you’re not home during the day when it’s cold outside, make sure you provide your animals with a warm shelter. It should be a couple inches off the ground and have a door on it (i.e. a piece of burlap or other weather proof fabric). It should large enough for your pet to move around a bit but small enough for them to be able to retain some heat inside. An igloo is a great example of a shelter that your pet can use.
Protect Sensitive Areas
Prep your pet’s sensitive areas before cold weather sets in. Their paws, ears and nose are places you want to make sure you take care of. Moisture and exposure to things like salts and chemicals used to melt snow can really harm your pet’s feet. This is cause for concern particularly when they start licking their paws excessively. This can lead to infections. Dog booties can help with this issue, as can a balm made specifically for animals.
Make sure your animals have clean dry ears and noses as well. This will ensure your pet isn’t plagued by ear infections or issues with their noses. Take good care of your pets by protecting them as much as possible.
Extra Blankets
Blankets are another great way to ensure your animals have some extra warmth throughout fall and winter. As you start to change your personal bedding with warmer blankets, do the same for your pets. This is important particularly when you have small dogs with thinner coats.
Brush out Fur
You might think your pet should keep that extra layer of fur on them in order to help keep them warm, but you’d be wrong. An article written baxterboo.com explains, “If you have a cat or dog with a full coat, be sure to brush it out regularly. Any matted fur won’t provide the same insulation and a clean coat. In addition to keeping things clean, unbrushed hair might trap snow and moisture, leading to discomfort and irritation. There are a variety of pet brushes tailored to your pet’s needs.”
Provide Coats/Sweaters
Coats and sweaters are another great tool pet owners can use to keep their animals comfortable during cooler weather. Not every animals has fur that is suitable for cold temps. If you’re unsure whether or not your pet would benefit from a sweater or coat, watch their behavior when you take them outside. Most animals with thin fur happily allow their owners to put them in extra layers. Make sure whatever outwear your decide on for your pet fits appropriately and does not restrict their movements in any way.
Just as you would pull out your fall/winter wardrobe and ready yourself for cold weather, you should do the same for your animals. They need protecting from the elements just like us!