Social media has been a blessing for raising awareness and changing attitudes in the care of cats and dogs. Depending on the region, cats, dogs and horses are either considered part of the family, part of a working farm or ranch, or considered simply a watch or guard dog. Naturally the quality of their care goes hand in hand with the value of their worth to the owner.If at all possible, please don't leave your pets outside during horrid weather. They are creatures of comfort just like we are. If we opted to take on their care then it is our responsibility to do it with their best interests in mind. An outdoor shed or garage is better than being left to fend for themselves.
During the bitter cold of winter, people have to understand that just because animals have fur doesn't mean they can always acclimate to harsh winter conditions. With dogs it depends on the breed and what type of fur they have. Dogs that have only a single layer of coat can withstand some cold but basically, if it's uncomfortable for you to be outside without a coat then your dog is probably going to get cold too.
Breeds with an undercoat (such as Eskimos, Huskies, Samoyans, Chows, Elkhounds, Akitas, Iceland Sheepdogs, Chinooks, and Wolf-hybrids) have a thick, downy layer that will help them keep warm.
The bodies of dogs who live outside will adjust to the change of seasons. They will instinctively eat more in early fall so as to add layers of fat for winter warmth, and then shed in the spring to ready themselves for the heat of summer.
Dogs that must live outdoors need to have proper shelter from the elements, good quality food and fresh, not frozen, water. Heavily fill the dog house with straw, filling it over half-full. Dogs love to circle around and stomp down the bedding in order to make a nest to curl up in. Also place plenty of straw at the entrance to the dog house so the pads of their feet won't be directly on the snow or ice. Blankets may seem nice and soft, but they tend to just feel cold to the pet.
Have a wind block over the opening to protect the dog from wind blowing in and creating a draft.
Be prepared to break ice two or three times a day in the water bowls. Don't expect your dog to lick ice or eat snow to stay hydrated. Dogs will eat the snow but don't have them rely on that for their need for water. Eating snow will lower core temp very quickly, faster than the body can compensate. Because it gets the body cold from the inside out, dogs can easily get hypothermia and freeze to death in frigid temperatures.
Provide extra food to the diet to help compensate for the energy necessary in keeping warm.
Keep an eye on their feet. Ice and snow balls can develop under the nails of dogs, especially on those who have fur between the toe pads. These harden and can make walking painful.
Even the most skittish stray dog is usually noticed before too long and help is gotten for its capture. Cats on the other hand are a different matter. Cats wandering around are rarely given a second thought at first because it is usually assumed they belong to somebody. People have the attitude that there will always be cats and as predators they are fine fending for themselves. That is a misconception. It may sound counter-productive, but in reality, a well-fed cat hunts better. A cat is only successful 2-3 times per 10 times it hunts. Cats need food on a daily basis so they can be strong enough to hunt. Also, being domesticated animals, not all cats have the desire to hunt. Just like us, they all have different personalities. Some will kill anything that moves, others would rather watch and be entertained.
Outdoor cats need care just like our dogs. They need fresh water, regular feeding and proper shelter. Just because cats will crawl under a bush somewhere, don't have the mentality that they know how to survive and will be fine. We have taken in a few cats over the years who arrived with frostbitten ear tips and toes.
Unless you know the food gets eaten immediately, don't bother with canned or wet food. It is easier to feed dry food being it won't freeze if left out for hours.
Keep fresh water available. Dry food may be more practical but if that is what the cat is eating, it isn't getting the needed water content. Cats (and dogs) that don't drink enough are prone to kidney problems. Dehydration is a real danger if available water is frozen. Don't expect a cat to eat the snow. Eating snow only lowers the body temperature, increasing the risk for hypothermia.
Elevation...you don't want water or snow creeping inside.
Two holes, one for an entrance, one for an escape.
Access to the inside for cleaning purposes and getting to an injured cat.
Use straw for bedding rather than hay or cloth. Hay and cloth hold moisture.
Cats will crawl into the oddest places of seek warmth. Try to remember to check under your car's wheel wells and under the hood before starting it up.
Taking care of stray cats is wonderful but if these animals are not to be your pets or are feral please use the TNR (trap, neuter, release) method. If you are feeding stray cats, you have to realize that if you are feeding them they are not going anywhere. Your intentions may be in the right place by helping stray cats survive, but you must take responsibility and have them neutered so they don't reproduce. Besides adding to the number of mouths to feed, an increase in number is only inviting the risk of premature death due to disease, fighting and overpopulation.
As public awareness increases, so is empathy for the plight of animals who are so defenseless and dependent on people for their care. Domesticated animals may survive on their own but too often they needlessly suffer. State by state it is becoming illegal to leave a pet outdoors in unfit weather. In doing so, the owner risks his pet be picked up by animal control and being served a fine. If that is what it takes to get people to pay attention than hallelujah.
