As it gets colder across California and the rest of the country, it’s important that everyone bundle up in order to avoid getting ill or suffering an injury. If you have pets that reside in your home, you’ll also need to take certain steps to see to their protection. To do this, think about exercising some of the tips suggested by the Houston branch of the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals in a new report.
If your pets sleep indoors, make sure they have a comfortable, warm place they can go to rest. If outdoors, it’s simply not admissible to leave them to the elements. An outdoor pet needs to have a structure that completely blocks out the wind and that he or she can access via a door flap. This house needs to keep out water and should be kept off the ground at least a little bit so that wetness and wind can’t creep in.
When the temperature plummets, you should place extra blankets within the structure rather than a space heater, which can topple and injure or burn your pet. Realize that outdoor pets may need to eat more for insulation; a vet should be able to advise you on the best diet.
Finally, limit your pets’ exposure to common winter hazards like antifreeze and rat poison. Such things should not be placed where anyone or anything could access them, and the containers themselves should be locked up tightly.