Keep Your Pets Comfy This Winter
January is the coldest time of year in Upstate South Carolina, and we all enjoy a cozy home when it’s cold outside. As much you like throw blankets and warm beverages, pets find homes more comfortable with a few extra considerations in winter.
First and foremost, if you’re cold, they’re probably cold. The idea that pets “have a fur coat” and are therefore more comfortable in cooler temperatures only applies to a certain degree. Domesticated animals are not accustomed to living unprotected in extreme weather. Even feral cats and dogs will seek out warm places to shelter from the cold. If your pets are allowed outdoors, make sure they can come back in from the cold with ease. For pet owners with pet doors in their Greenville homes, ensure that the door is operating smoothly. If you let your pets into the yard, keep an eye on them or set a time on your phone to remember to let them in after a short period. If you see your pet outside behaving erratically, even though it may be funny, it can be a sign that they are too cold. Get them back inside immediately.
In addition to warmth, keeping your pets indoors during the colder weather can keep them safer from predators. If your Upstate SC home is in a more rural area, bears, raccoons, and coyotes can be attracted by pet food left outdoors. Raccoons can be aggressive if they’ve been infected with rabies and can square off with dogs or cats over bowls of food. Don’t risk it. Keep your pets and their food inside your home and not on your porch or patio.
When taking wild animals into account, consider feral cat populations from a safety perspective. If your vehicle is parked outdoors, always knock on the hood before starting the engine. Give cats and kittens an opportunity to vacate the warmth of the engine bay. This is true whether you are at home or your car has been parked outside your office for a few hours.
Garages and carports can also be a dangerous area for pets if you use antifreeze, which is toxic for pets. Antifreeze has an attractive scent that makes animals want to taste it, so if you spill even a drop, make sure to clean it up! Keep antifreeze bottle lids securely fastened, and keep it behind closed doors.
Finally, if you walk your dog in icy conditions, be mindful of salt or de-icing chemicals used on sidewalks or roadways. These may not be used as much in Greenville, South Carolina, as in colder cities, but they are used on bridges and busier roads. Some neighborhoods may spread them on sidewalks. Apply petrolatum or paw protectant to paws before a walk, and wipe your dog’s paws as soon as you return home. Some dogs will happily look stylish in booties, so you can try those, too! If you do, send me pictures because adorable!
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