Coat or Not?
- teampetluv
- Jan 31, 2015
- 2 min read
Coat or Not?
We were supposed to have the big Blizzard of 2015 in the DC area. Instead, we had little snow, ice, and freezing temperatures. So, this morning, when it was time for the pets to go out, they wore their coats. But is a coat really necessary? Not for every dog. Some dogs enjoy and are not affected by the cold. For example, according to petmd.com and pedigree.com, Saint Bernards, the Siberian Husky, and the Malamute are well suited for cold temperatures, but the Greyhound, Chihuahua, and other short hair dogs may benefit from a coat or sweater. My Emma, a Bichon Frise mix, seems to have plenty of thick fur, but often shivers when it’s cold. She enjoys wearing a coat when it’s cold.
My current favorite place to buy coats and sweaters is Petco. The fancy red coats in the picture came from there. They seem to have lots of good quality styles to choose from at good prices, especially when there’s a sale or clearance.
My dogs will not tolerate wearing boots. I tried and failed. Instead, when we return home from walks, I have to remember to wipe their paws with baby wipes or a towel. Although we use ice melters such as SafePaw on the sidewalk, some neighbors don’t.
Many cats remain inside and use their litter boxes when it’s cold. Some cats that travel outside may actually wear a sweater or a coat. Nevertheless, we still have to think about our stray and feral cats outside. These cats may be fine outside, but a little help can always be good. When it’s cold, some of our outdoor cat friends find shelter under the hoods of cars. This can be dangerous when the car is started. To help our friends’ outdoors, some may consider building outdoor cat shelters with blankets to help keep cats warm.
For more winter pet tips please check out these sites:
- www.aspca.org/pet-care/cold-weather-tips
www.humanesociety.org/issues/feral_cats/tips/caring_feral_cats_winter.html
www.petmd.com/dog/seasonal/evr_dg_sweaters_for_dogs
www.pedigree.com/all-things-dog/article-library/does-my-dog-need-a-winter-coat.aspx
