Think of pets and livestock as weather turns
cold
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December 2, 2013 |
It should go without saying, but in light of my
last article,
Bring in your brass monkeys ...,
I've been asked to remind
readers that metal monkeys aren't the only
things needing tended when the weather turns
frigid ... your furry and feathered friends need attention,
too.
Dogs and cats can fare ill in these cold climes,
even if they're outdoor animals. In fact, the
cold can quickly prove fatal if care isn't taken
to provide them a cozy place protected from the
icy wind.
Dog houses should be turned so the entrance is
out of the wind, and filled with clean, dry
straw that the dog can burrow into and stay
moderately warm. Barn cats will typically hunker
down in the warmest spot available, and if you
can find where that is, you can make life a bit
cozier for them by providing similar comforts.
If you're trying to convert an acclimated house
pet into an outdoor critter, it's advisable to
cut a little slack and let them back in for a
spell until the weather warms up a bit.
Water is critical ... it tends to turn hard and
unwelcoming pretty fast when temperatures dip
below zero, and no animal can drink in ice cube.
Always make sure pets and livestock have access
to a supply still in the liquid state, even when
it won't stay that way long.
Provide extra feed; a hungry critter is more
susceptible to the rigors of cold than a beast
with a full belly.
It should go without saying, but too often it
doesn't, and a reminder helps. |
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