The American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA) offers some great advice for keeping your dog or cat safe from winter hazards, and I've added a few suggestions of my own to the list.
Dr. Karen Becker is a proactive and integrative wellness veterinarian. You can visit her site at: Mercola Healthy Pets.
Her goal is to help you create wellness in order to prevent illness in the lives of your pets. This proactive approach seeks to save you and your pet from unnecessary stress and suffering by identifying and removing health obstacles even before disease occurs. Unfortunately, most veterinarians in the U.S. are trained to be reactive. They wait for symptoms to occur, and often treat those symptoms without addressing the root cause.
By reading Dr. Becker's information, you'll learn how to make impactful, consistent lifestyle choices to improve your pet's quality of life.
Another thing I want to add, people, is to be mindful of the pet population... spay or neuter your animal to control the pet population! There are millions of pets in animal shelters just waiting for your love and attention and, if given, you have treasures for a lifetime!
As for giving them a warm place to sleep, I have a small electric "throw" type blanket that I put underneath my dogs' bed. I put it underneath their bed so that it doesn't get too warm for them, even on low. The bed adds some insulation between the blanket and them. I also give them a blanket on top of their bed that they can get under if they want to. I have 2 dogs (had a cat too until recently) and they all used to sleep on this bed. Usually the dogs would curl up under the blanket and the cat would snuggle up on top of them. LOL Of course this was when they weren't in the bed with me!
Another thing, since my favorite hobby is crocheting, both my dogs get a new sweater every year. And since they are both getting some age on them (8 and 11 years old) when I make the sweaters, I add leg warmers covering all 4 legs, with the hind legs being a little thicker to cover their hip joints.
My current friend, a Siamese, rescued from a storage facility where he was abandoned, is a healthy, trim, vital buddy and skilled hunter, prefering to suppliment the quality dry foods we have always available with fresh rodents from our outdoor environs. Our vet has indicated that eating these animals may bring problems, but treated, the problems are small compared to the enjoyment of the hunt and varied food he chooses. As for cold, he has a good fur coat. He goes in and out at his pleasure in all but the coldest weather (like 0 deg F and lower). Even pit-bulls don't bother him a 2nd time. He has all his native tools, save those of procreation, and he chooses to use them. I couldn't keep him indoors against his will if I wanted to... yes, I've tried.
I know there are pets that should never be put outside, but to blanket all pets with standards meant for lap dog/cats is unfair, unrealistic, and untenable. Still, love your pets, they certainly will know it and respond.
Kimmy
For those who don't believe that animals feel and love, and unconditionally, and if your are married, do the following. Before you begin your trip, lock both your spouse and your dog in the trunk of your car. When you get to where you are going and open your trunk, note which one is still happy to see you.
WTG Marie for taking such good care of your cat!