Pet Tips: Protecting Your Pets in the Winter | Pet Sitters Plus

Technically, it might still be Fall, but Winter has arrived in Northern Nevada. It's always a quick changeover, so don't forget to be quick about winterizing your outdoor pet area. Pets might have fur, but they're not equipped to handle prolonged exposure to the cold and wet months. 

Pet Sitters Plus has a few handy tips for keeping your companion pets safe and warm over the winter:

• Keep Them Cozy And Warm - Winter clothes look cute on our dogs on a walk or out a, but they don't really help for long periods outdoors or around town. And cats? They usually don't really like that whole 'sweater' thing. Let your pets back into the house as soon as they're done with their business outside.
  
• Clear A Path - Snow, ice, branches and leaves can all block access to outdoor food and water dishes. Check them daily if you have an outdoor pet.
  
• Sleeping In The Doghouse - If your canine is not an indoor one, make sure they have appropriate housing outdoors. Enclosures should be dry, draft-free and small enough to conserve body heat. A small platform, a few inches off of the ground, can also make a cozy sleeping pallet.
  
• Soft Kitty, Warm Kitty... - If you have a cat that can't stay indoors, or care for stray or feral cats around your home, think about creating a small wind shelter for them near the feeding spot.
  
• Check Your Engine - Cars provide great shelter from the elements, especially the rain and snow. Warm engines can also be very enticing to an animal looking to take the chill off. Look underneath your car and bang on the hood a couple times to scare them off before starting your engine. 
  
• Watch The Chemicals - Antifreeze is notoriously sweet, tempting and toxic. Please make sure you keep your antifreeze stored properly and clean up any spills. (A 2-inch layer of cat litter for about 30 minutes is one very effective method.) Road salt or melting chemicals can also be harmful to their soft paws or mouths. Wipe their paws off with a soft dry towel when they come inside.