Offering Some General Advice On The Best Ways To Keep Your Pets Warm, Comfortable, And Cozy This Winter Season
With the winter season comes the winter weather. As the temperatures fall and the cold winds blow, we all have to adjust to the cold winter weather. This applies to your pets as well. Although cats and dogs usually have a warm fur coat, they can still get cold during the frigid winter months. The purpose of this article is to offer some general advice on how best to keep your pets warm & comfortable during the frigid winter season.
A warm winter dog
The Ideal Temperature For Dogs
Most dog breeds are covered in fur from head to paws which creates a natural form of insulation. Some dog breeds even have double coats, meaning they have two layers of fur. Examples of Dog breeds with double coats include German Shepherds, Siberian Huskies, Border Collies, and Bernese Mountain Dogs. These breeds usually do well in the winter, but should have their coat trimmed in the summer.
Regardless of the thickness of a dogs’ coat, they can still get cold. According to One Hour Heating & Air Conditioning, most dogs typically feel comfortable indoors at around 75 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit. However, this may vary slightly based on the breed and size of your dog. Typically, you can usually gauge your pets’ comfort level based on their overall body language. Panting and excessive water drinking usually means they are too hot. Shaking, shivering, and reluctance to move are usually a good indicator that your pet is too cold.
A warm winter cat
The Ideal Temperature For Cats
According to The rescue Vets, cats need to maintain an internal body temperature of 90 degrees Fahrenheit in order to ward off hypothermia. Keeping your thermostat at 70 degrees Fahrenheit minimum should keep them cozy & comfortable. As for outdoor cats, anything below 45 degrees Fahrenheit is too cold. Be sure to bring them in or provide some kind of heated shelter to prevent frostbite or hypothermia.
If your cat is too cold, they will usually let you know about it. Signs that your cat is too cold include shivering, cold to the touch, lethargic behavior, weakness, and slow, shallow breathing. However, cats are very good at detecting heat and are usually drawn towards most heat sources. This is especially true when it comes to body heat. Cats love to snuggle up with their owners not only for the attention, but for the warmth.
A dog & cat snuggling
Keeping A Comfortable Home
Keeping the thermostat set to at least 70 degrees will keep your pets warm. But, that isn’t always enough to keep them comfortable & happy. One of the best ways to keep your pets comfortable during the winter is to give them some warm and cozy places to sleep. Try putting down some dog/cat beds around the house for them to sleep on. You can also put out some soft fuzzy blankets for your pets to burrow under. This is especially useful if your pets are allowed on the furniture.
Lastly, One of the best ways to keep your pets warm during the winter is to snuggle with them. You naturally give off body heat that will help keep your pets extra cozy & comfortable. This is a win-win because you get to spend some extra quality time with your pets and they get to enjoy some extra quality warmth. When in doubt, snuggle it out.
Hire A Pet Sitter This Winter!
Tired of having to walk your dog in the cold weather? Then look no further than ParaMount Pet Care! We are the leading pet care professionals in the Luzerne County area. All of our sitters are insured, bonded, trained in pet CPR & first aid, and dedicated to caring for your pets. We offer a wide variety of pet sitting services such as in-home pet sitting, routine dog walking, overnight stays, and more! Click here to see all of our services! Click here to become a client today or give us a call at 570-814-1037. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
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