Why You Should Bring Your Pets Inside When It Is Cold Outside

*Sorry for the sad  and graphic photo but people seriously need to get this through their heads!

Just because a animal has fur does not mean they will stay warm. Once a pet's fur is wet and cannot dry it will freeze and eventually your pet will succumb to the elements. Does not matter if it is short fur or long fur the outcome is the same.....

If you must keep you pet outside for whatever reason here are some tips:

Provide shelter. 

A store-bought dog house or homemade one will due but make sure it has the following:

-Make sure the opening/doorway of your dog house is facing south due to the fact that the coldest air and wind usually come from the north and northeast during winter.

-Have some sort of flap for the dog to go in and out of to help block cold drafts and snow or sleet.  

-Check every few days to make sure bedding is clean and dry be it wood shavings, straw, hay or any material that can't be packed down easily. Avoid blankets, rugs or newspaper.

-Consider letting your dog have access to a garage or outdoor shed to keep warm and sleep is the weather gets to nasty.

-Make sure your dog house is well insulated, airtight and free of drafts. Use sealants if necessary to close up all cracks and holes.

-Make sure dog house is correct size for the size of your dog. Th size of your dog house should allow your dog to sit up completely up and stretch out when lying down.

-Make sure the dog house is elevated and not sitting directly on the cold ground .i.e have the dog house sitting on top of a pallet or thick rubber mat.

-Do not chain your dog outside period! Your dog could get tangled up and not have access to the dog house.

Provide fresh, clean, unfrozen water daily.

If it is cold enough outside for water to freeze consider having a heated dog bowl to keep the water ice free. None the less however physically go outside and check to make sure your pet has fresh, clean unfrozen water 2-3 times a day.

Provide extra food and calories.

Feed your outside pet more food or food with high protein and fat content. Feed twice daily at least.

Bring your pet inside.

If it is below 32 degrees or to cold for even your standards just do the humane thing and please bring your pet inside or at least let them have access to a heated garage or outdoor shed/barn. 

Please share and spread the word! To anyone and everyone! 

The Chained Dog Life Poem

The Door 

By Brandy Herr 

It’s cold outside. 

I would like to come in 

And curl up by the fire, 

Snuggled next to my friend. 

Please open the door. 

My friend is so young. 

He’s only ten years old. 

He doesn’t understand 

Why I’m out here in the cold. 

Please open the door. 

The collar I wear 

Is getting too tight. 

What shelter I have 

Won’t help much through the night. 

Please open the door. 

I wish I could play 

And run and be free. 

Instead I am tied 

To this sad, lonely tree. 

Please open the door. 

The rocks under my feet 

Cause my paws to be sore. 

How I long for the feel 

Of a carpeted floor. 

Please open the door. 

Why did you get me 

If you don’t want me to be 

Inside your home, 

Part of your family? 

Please open the door. 

I can give so much love, 

Companionship, and more, 

If you’ll let me into your heart. 

Please open the door.

Please Don't Just Chain Your Dog Outdoors And Leave It There!

A Chained Dog Is Not A Lawn Ornament It Is A Living Being! 

A Chained Dog Is Not A Guard Dog It's A Dead Dog! 

If Life Is Precious To You, Think About A Animal's Life Too.

Pets and Cold Weather

It's that time of year where it's getting a bit to chilly for you and your pets  to venture outside for too long of a period of time. Here are some tips:

1. Just stay inside! If it's 32 degrees or lower your best bet for you and your pets is to stay indoors as much as possible. Stay warm and comfty. Your pets will love you for it!

2. Never let your dog venture outside without a leash! They could slip on ice, get lost in the snow or worst yet fall into a icy body of water =(  As for kitties  keep a watchful eye on them and don't let them wander to far or teach them to walk on a leash.

3. If you have a short hair dog or a small toy breed of dog consider a doggy coat or sweater and maybe booties although most dogs detest those things. I usually don't condone dressing your pup up but if it's cold outside go ahead and bundle up. Better safe then sorry.

4. Dry your pets off and wash their feet off after a day of outside of play. That way they won't chill and you get all that outside gunk like road salt, deicer or antifreeze off their delicate paws.

5. Don't leave your pets out in the cold for long periods of time unless you have proper, adequate shelter. A well-insulated barn or enclosed shed with some hay/blankets and little to no draft should be fine for your outdoor kitties. Some sort of well-insulated dog house elevated off the cold ground but closed off will work. Just make sure there is a blanket or some hay to help keep your pet warm. Basically keep your pet dry and out of any cold drafts.

6. Keep your pets healthy and well-fed. If necessary feed your outdoor pets extra high-protein food. If you see that your pet is not doing so well outdoors please bring them indoors and warm them up or keep them inside on very cold nights and days.

7. Check under the hood of your car for stray cats. Sometimes they will crawl up into your engine for warmth. So bang on your hood before starting your car just to make sure.

8. Don't use electric blankets with your pets unattended! They could get burnt or chew through the electrical cords.