Thankfully, there are several things people can do to make sure their pets can have a safe and warm winter season.
All outdoor pets:
According to Paul Chapin, D.V.M., a veterinarian with the Humane Society of Utah, the first winter need of every outdoor pet is a warm, dry place to sleep. "Use common sense," says Chapin. "If the weather's cold enough you wouldn't want to be out in it, why would your cat or dog?"
Many pets are allowed inside their owners' houses at night, which provides an instant solution to the problem. A bed can also be set up inside the garage, with the door left up just far enough for the animal to get in and out. Outside shelters need to be sealed against drafts, filled with clean, dry bedding, and raised up off the ground enough to make sure the animal isn't sleeping in mud.
If pets do get cold enough, they can start showing signs of hypothermia, which starts with violent shivering but can escalate to disorientation and lethargy, or frostbite. If this happens, Chapin suggests bringing the pet inside and wrapping it in a rotation of dryer-warmed towels until it shows signs of warming up. For frostbite, gently massage the affected area with a warm towel. In either case, call a veterinarian as soon as possible.
The second winter need for pets is food and plenty of drinkable water. Water bowls need to be either specially warmed or checked regularly to make sure ice hasn't formed over the top. The Best Friends Animal Society Web site, www.bestfriends.org, recommends avoiding metal bowls so that the animal's tongue doesn't freeze to it in extremely cold weather.
Outdoor pets also need extra food during the winter, both to compensate for extra energy used and to make sure they have enough body fat to provide insulation. If the food bowl is filled and left out, the animal will simply empty it more often, but for owners who regulate feeding Chapin suggests increasing summer amounts by 25 - 50 percent.
"Your pet will tell you what he needs," says Chapin. "If he's leaving food in the bowl, you're giving him too much."
Another winter requirement for animals is to stay away from antifreeze. Most types taste sweet to animals, inspiring pets to snack up and accidentally poison themselves. A pet-safe brand is readily available at most pet stores, nasty-tasting enough to discourage sampling. PetsMart animal care guides, found at www.petsmart.com/careguides, also remind owners to immediately clean up spills and make sure the antifreeze lid is securely closed.
For dogs:
The Humane Society of Utah's Web site, www.utahhumane.org, includes guidelines for building a comfortable, winter-safe dog shelter. The site also tells how to build a suitably warm temporary shelter using a shipping crate or a cardboard box, several garbage bags and an old blanket. In either case, the best place for a dog shelter is inside another building, such as a garage or shed.
Only Arctic breeds such as huskies and malamutes are truly suited to life outside, equipped with a thick undercoat that protects them from the worst of winter weather. Other longer-haired breeds are given some protection, more so if their coats are kept clean and free of mats. Shorter-haired breeds such as boxers, Dobermans and Chihuahuas especially need to be watched for signs of frostbite and hypothermia, and if necessary should be equipped with doggie sweaters for any outside visits.
For time spent outside in a fenced yard, PetsMart animals care guides suggests keeping the snow levels near the fence low enough that the dog can't use the drifts to leave the yard. After walks, owners should wipe the bottom of their dog's feet as soon as they return home, removing ice-melting chemicals and ice balls that can injure sensitive skin.
The smaller and older a dog is, the more difficult it is for them to get through the winter. Winter can increase the pain in arthritic joints, which can be eased best by medications available through the local veterinarian. Though it may be tempting for owners to self-medicate a suffering dog with human pain medications, according to Chapin they are less effective and in some cases poisonous to animals.
Even small, older dogs without arthritis find it more difficult to move around in the snow, so much so that they will in some cases refuse to go outside even to urinate. If this happens it may help to shovel a patch of yard specifically for the dog, giving them more freedom of mobility. Larger, younger dogs, especially those not used to being outside, may also appreciate the gesture.
For cats:
Though outdoor cats are extremely independent by nature, this attitude is less than helpful in helping them survive the winter cold. Many will simply choose to stay inside when temperatures drop below their personal comfort level, which is the option most strongly supported by the Humane Society of Utah. For cats who refuse to stay put, however, Chapin says that a garage with a slightly open door can also provide the necessary shelter.
The most important way owners can help their cats survive the winter, however, is to check under the hoods of their cars. According to Chapin, cats will often use wheel wells to climb up into the inner workings of a car so they can take a nap next to the still-warm engine. In the morning the car's owner comes out to start it, scaring the cat awake far too late. "They usually get caught by the fan belt and get torn up pretty bad," says Chapin. "It's really common and really messy."
The best way to make sure this doesn't happen to your cat (or your car), simply give a solid hit to the car's hood before you get in, or toot the horn before you start the car. This will scare the cat awake early, giving the animal time to get clear long before the engine starts.
For rabbits:
According to Chapin, the Humane Society of Utah receives several rabbits every winter, sent in by people who don't know how to adapt the bunnies' current living arrangements to the new season. "Don't leave it hopping around the yard," says Chapin. "If you're going to leave a rabbit outside, you're going to need to give it a heated hutch."
The British Rabbit Council has other guidelines to help rabbits stay safe and happy in cold weather. Hutches should be fitted with rain -- and windproof covers to protect rabbits from drafts, and outside runs should be closed off until spring. Keep extra food in the kitchen so it doesn't freeze, and water should be kept free of ice at all times. An old towel should also be kept on hand to dry the rabbit in case it gets unexpectedly wet. A more detailed list can be found at www.petplanet.co.uk/care_rabbit_winter.asp.
Winter can be a tough time for pets. But with a little help from their owners, they can be happy and healthy. n
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