Oh The Weather Outside Is Frightful... As winter rolls into town, the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region asks that you pause to consider the seasonal needs of your pets.
The most important winter safety tip to remember is to not leave your pets outside in the cold. Every year, we are saddened to learn of pets dying from exposure to the cold. When temperatures drop below freezing, it is most definitely time to bring the pets inside. If you don’t like having your pets loose in the house, you can still contain your pets within your house by using baby gates or setting up an enclosed room especially for them. Give your pets their favorite bed or a blanket to lie on, fresh water, food and a toy or two. You can while away the winter months by gradually socializing them to behave appropriately indoors. Using positive reinforcement techniques, your pet will soon fit in as a well-behaved member of the family. Information on positive reinforcement training is available at the HSPPR facility, located just off of 8th Street at 610 Abbott Lane. If your pet does spend much of his time outdoors, be sure you have a heated water bowl so that his water does not freeze over. Also, check the shelter you provide for him to make sure that it is insulated and doesn’t allow the wind to come through. It is essential to provide shelter for your dogs when they’re outdoors, even if they sleep inside, so they have a dry place to retreat when the weather turns ugly. We also recommend upping your dog’s protein intake to help his coat thicken and remain healthy. If you allow your cat outdoors, bring him inside for the winter. In addition to the normal outdoor cat hazards – like cars, other animals, and disease – your cat could freeze if it stays outdoors in cold weather. Also, outdoor cats often sleep under the hoods of cars in the winter, and can get injured when the car starts; bang on the hood before starting your car so it can make its escape. While your cat spends his winter inside, he’ll still gets plenty of exercise if you provide him with a new toy occasionally. If possible, set up a perching platform or put a cat bed by a window, so he can still observe the outside world. You may find this getting used more frequently according to how closely you place it to a heating vent. Despite the weather, your dogs will still need plenty of exercise. Walks are still good activities during the winter. Most dogs will not need extra protection, but if you own a shorthaired dog, an all-purpose doggie coat or sweater might be an essential part of his winter gear. Another important thing to remember is that dogs can lose their scent on snow or ice, so don’t let your pup off the leash while on your walk.  Many pets are sensitive to the cold, and should go outside only to use the bathroom. If you have a puppy, remember that they’re more susceptible to cold weather than adult dogs; you may need to adjust your housetraining lessons to help the young dog cope with the cold. It is essential to not leave any pet in the car; a car can act as a refrigerator during cold weather and freeze your pet to death.
Finally, don’t forget that antifreeze is lethal to pets, even if only a tiny bit is ingested. Its sweet smell is very attractive to pets, so make sure containers are stored securely out of reach and clean up any spills immediately, however small. The dedicated staff and volunteers of the Humane Society of the Pikes Peak Region wish you and your pets a safe, fun winter.
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