Vet in Austin

Protecting Cats and Dogs in the Winter

Winter can be a tough time for animals, especially those that must stay outside. Even indoor pets can have a difficult time in the winter however, as outside play is limited by both time spent outdoors and the amount of energy they expend while they are outdoors. Coldness makes animals, like people, not want to move around as much as they do in summer, and this lack of energy expenditure can cause excess weight gain. It is also very important to keep your pets warm and safe throughout the winter. It's always best to contact your Vet in Austin for winter safety measures, but this list will get you started.

Protecting Dogs and Cats in the Winter Nighttime

At night it is important to keep your pets indoors to prevent illnesses such as pneumonia. Older dogs, including those with diseases such as diabetes, kidney, and heart problems should be kept inside all the time, even during the day. In the winter, cats should be kept indoors at all times.

Time Spent Outdoors by Dogs and Cats in Winter

The amount of time a dog should spend outside can vary greatly by dog. Dogs with short hair should spend little time outside because they don't have as much fur to keep them warm. If you do send your dog outside, be sure to keep the hair between their toes cut fairly short because snow can pack between their toes.

Water that is left outside for animals may freeze, so be sure to check on any food that you leave outside for your pets. One remedy is to put the water in a deep container because this will help keep the water from freezing. In addition, dark colored dishes will absorb more heat and keep the water from freezing much longer. Each morning, check on their water and break up any ice that is found on top.

Additional Cat Care in Winter

• Outdoor Cats
  Outdoor cats will look for places to curl up in order to stay warm during the winter time. One especially dangerous thing that cats may do is curl up in tire tracks, wheel wells, or in vehicle engines. For this reason, be sure that your cat is not curled up in any of these places. A quick way of ensuring your cat isn't curled up inside your vehicle engine is to bang on the hood before starting the car. Many cats are killed each year by innocent pet owners simply starting their car in the morning without being sure that their cat isn't curled up inside the engine.


• Indoor Cats
  ndoor cats will curl up next to warm area, such as heaters and fireplaces. Keep an eye on them to be sure their fur doesn't get too close to a heat source, or they could end up on fire, and quickly spread that fire across your house as they run in fear.

Take All Precautions by Contacting Your Vet in Austin

The best way to ensure that your animals are properly cared for during the winter is to talk to your Vet in Austin about the dangers of winter.