Discussing The Best Ways To Keep Your Pets Comfortable And Happy During The Cold Winter Months
Winter is here! With the winter season comes the cold winter weather and temperatures. During this time of year, it’s important to bundle up and stay warm. This applies to your pets too! But, adjusting to the winter weather and temperatures can sometimes be difficult for pets. 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 dog in a cozy bed
Create A Cozy Home
Since your pets will be spending the majority of their time indoors during winter, it’s a good idea to make it as comfortable as possible. Besides keeping your house at a comfortable temperature, there are other ways to make your home more cozy and comforting.
A great way to keep your pets extra comfortable during the winter is to provide them with some cozy places to sleep. Instead of letting your pets sleep on the floor, put down some dog or cat beds around the house. You can also put out some soft, fuzzy blankets for your pets to burrow under.
Additionally, cuddling up with your furry friends is another great way to keep them warm and happy. This is because you naturally give off body heat, which your pets will gravitate to. Not only will snuggling keep your pets warm, but it will also give you some well-deserved bonding time with your furry friend.
Best Temperatures For Dogs
While most breeds of dogs are completely covered in fur, this doesn’t stop them from getting cold. Even dogs with double coats (meaning they have two layers of fur coats) can still get cold. Regardless of your dog’s breed, it’s important to pay attention to their behavior and overall comfort level.
According to AIRESERV, most dogs feel comfortable at an indoor temperature of 69 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. But, this can vary depending on the breed and size of the dog. You can usually gauge a pets’ comfort level based on their overall body language. For example, shivering, shaking, and reluctance to move are usually good indicators that your dog is too cold. Adjust your indoor temperatures based on your dog’s needs and comfort level.
A cat sleeping in a cozy bed
Best Temperatures For Cats
According to Pet Wellbeing, normal temperatures for cats range from 99.5 to 102.5 degrees Fahrenheit. Thankfully, cats are very good at self regulating their own body temperatures. However, they can still use a little extra help during the cold winter months.
We recommend setting your house thermostat to a minimum of 70 degrees Fahrenheit. This will keep your cat both warm & comfortable. As for outdoor cats, anything below 45 degrees Fahrenheit is far too cold. In these kinds of temperatures, we recommend bringing your outdoor cats inside or providing some kind of heated shelter. This is to prevent frostbite or hypothermia.
Signs that your cat is too cold include shivering, lethargic behavior, cold to the touch, 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. As previously mentioned, snuggling with your pets is a great way to keep them warm and happy.
Hire A Pet Sitter Or Dog Walker This Winter!
Another great way to keep your pets warm and happy this winter is to hire a pet sitter or dog walker! Whether it’s long dog walks, or indoor playtime, your pets will be happy, comfortable, and preoccupied with a professional pet sitter keeping them company.
Long Island Pet Services is the best place to turn to for professional, quality pet sitting services. We offer a wide variety of services including dog walking, drop-in visits, overnight stays, pet taxi, and more! Click here to become a client today or give us a call at 516-247-6976. We look forward to hearing from you soon!
