The winter season is becoming colder with each passing day. Of course, there is nothing which can be done about that (unless we drastically reduce our carbon footprint and reverse climate change), so instead we need to take drastic measures to ensure we are properly covered when going outside or that the home heating system is working optimally to keep temperatures at a comfortable level.
However, while we can cover ourselves up with sweaters and jackets, what about our furry little family members who don’t have opposable thumbs (or hands)? They need just as much attention as you, and although their fur provides some warmth during the winter, there are certain actions you can take to make it a bit easier for them to cope with the falling temperature.
Provide Bedding That is Dry
Imagine sleeping on the marble floor during winters. Can’t do it, right? The floor of the house, whether it’s wooden or marble, becomes much colder during the winter months, making it very difficult for your pet to warm up. Instead, the idea is to provide a proper bed with some dry clothing, allowing your friend to heat it up as needed.
This does not mean that your pet will always sleep in there. If he or she rejects it in the beginning, it’s perfectly fine. It would take them some time to get used to the new bed. After all, change of space is always a bit uncomfortable in the beginning. However, once they accept it, you will find it hard to wake them up.
Perhaps A Little Clothing
The first thing we do when we feel cold is to cover ourselves up; after all, that is the best way to combat cold temperatures. Why not use the same method to cover up our pets? Pet clothing has become very popular in recent times, especially after celebrities have been seen dressing up their pets in funky outfits. However, we are not aiming to make our pets more fashionable, rather to provide them appropriate cover which may help them combat the cold.
The amount of clothing your pet needs will depend entirely upon its age and the amount of fur on the body. If your pet is very furry, chances are you don’t need to put any clothes on it. However, if the age of your pet is quite young, for example he’s a puppy, then you need to clothe him adequately as the lower body mass makes it difficult for them to warm up on their own.
Don’t Trim the Fur
This one goes without saying, however if you have already given your pet that monthly haircut then it’s better to clothe them till the fur grows back to its full potential. A good way to encourage their fur to grow back even thicker is to make them spend a greater amount of time outdoors.
Of course, this does not mean that you leave them outside when its snowing. Properly clothe them before taking them outside so that they don’t feel too cold, but just that exposure to a little bit of cold will trigger their fur to grow thicker.
However, the thickness of the fur depends a lot on the genetics of your pet and also its breed, so don’t force your pet to spend a lot of time outside in the hope he or she will grow a thick fur: it may never happen for some pet breeds.
The Paws Need Extra Attention
While you may have taken all the necessary precautions to ensure your pet is comfortably warm, there is still a risk that your pet may become injured due to the cold. It’s fairly common for pets to develop cracks in their paw pads which may even lead to bleeding.
Timely attention to this is essential as not only does this cause your pet to feel a lot of pain but also can lead to injury in the paw pads which may even cause your pet to lose his or her ability to properly walk.