True to Floridian nature, I have whined mightily for the past few days. It dropped below freezing here and was not the tropical paradise that Florida promises to be. You know you've descended into some comical hell when you look out your front window and see icicles on palm trees.
But what of our furry friends? Sure, we think "ah, they're furry, they stay warm," but it's a myth! In fact, cats and dogs are just as susceptible to hypothermia and frost-byte as we are. when we have a thin layer of clothes on. So while we fix ourselves a cup of Irish coffee and turn our space heaters on with these glorious things called thumbs, what of our whiskered brethren?
There are a few things we, the thumb-bearing gods of the world, can do:
1. Always check under your hood
If you live in the city, or even out in the country, the warmest spot a cat can find as shelter from the cold is usually the manifold of your car. Bad things happen when said cat is still in said car when the car starts. A friend also recommended thumping your hood a good three times so as to scare any cats who might be hiding in there, but as a paranoid person I usually pop mine to be certain.
This is Molly. She got caught in the fan belt of a car and is lucky to be alive. She's recovering nicely and feeling better with every day:
2. DIY Shelter for Dummies
Not that I'm calling you dummies! You're reading this, so I look to you more like gods with great taste. Or your friend made you click on this and here you are. Either way, you can provide shelter for feral cats or stray dogs in bad weather. It's cheap, easy and gives you an extra warm fuzzy deep down to help you through the perilous winter as well.
What you'll need: Straw, A tarp OR a large Tupperware bin thing, animal food, and to be diligent about refreshing water that will potentially freeze over.
Here are what some admirable humans are doing this winter:
Eala from New York has turned her front porch into a feral cat shelter. She used a tarp to keep out the elements, a straw bale, loose straw over the concrete (to keep things dry) and a covered litter box.
She also has two outdoor shelters made from two covered litter boxes filled with straw. She closed the vents to keep out rain and has several boards up to block wind and rain. Stewie is modeling one of the lovely boards for us.
Alyssa in Stillwater, MN has gone to great lengths to protect a feral colony that lives on her property. She and her husband have converted their whole basement into a shelter out of the elements.
Her husband also built an outdoor shelter for the cats, complete with safe heated pads (piglet and pet pads).
You don't need anything fancy, though. Alyssa also shared a DIY shelter link (click here for full instructions) to make this simple box that cats love.
Of course, animals being animals, they're not always going to go with what we have planned. Eala built a bivouac of straw bales, complete with tarp and a nice dog bed for her dog who hated being indoors and was afraid of the cats. She said it was surprisingly toasty in the nice little shelter, but instead of staying in there nice and snug, this is what the dog preferred to do:
You can't win 'em all.
3. Brief outdoor excursions
In cold weather, it's best to keep your trips outdoors short. Sure, it's fun to watch your cat wade around in the white stuff or your dog snuff about after getting a nose full of snow. I think. Is it? I live in Florida. Anyway, some things you should know:
Pets can get frostbite:
Though they love exploring in this new winter wonderland, please keep trips brief. Always watch your pet and make sure they do not wander off without you.
Dogs lose their sense of smell in the snow:
If you have a fenced in yard, no worries, but if you're going for a hike, a leash is the safest bet. Dogs have been known to wander off and suffer wounds from frostbite and worse (don't like mentioning the worse) from not being able to find their way back due to loss of smell.
4. Heating Pet-Magnets
Back to human superiority -- thumbs and whatnot. We have these wonderful things called houses and apartments. Nothing bad can happen in them -- our pets bask in the glory of all our inventions and lounge about in the warmth of our labors. This is mostly true, but you all have heard the saying "curiosity killed the cat." Well, it could scald the family dog, too and the last thing you want is the smell of burning fur wafting about your home, let alone an injured pet.
Choose a space heater that is safe!
Maggie likes to lounge in front of the space heater her mom picked out for their home her. Stacey of St. Louis, MO is the kind human with the monetary, heat-bestowing powers. Her five dogs take turns in front of this space heater, but it is never hot enough for them to burn or singe their hair on the grating. The best way to find a product that is right for you is by Googling product reviews and asking fellow pet owners with similar room/home sizes. If you need help, please feel free to ask in comments! I live in a tiny 1-bedroom apartment and have been fairly happy with a Lasko Ceramic Tower heater. It will turn off if tipped over, will not burn you if you touch it and the cats adore it. Also, be sure to clean out your space heater's innards from time to time; if you have pets you pretty much know that their fur gets absolutely everywhere!
Keep screens closed on fireplaces!
Amba reminded me the other day that cats will get into absolutely anything. His eyebrow whiskers are curled up on the left side because he wanted to know what a candle was. This in mind, please keep your pet's curiosity in check this winter by keeping that screening closed, just in case. Zion (pictured above) models how fireplaces should be enjoyed.
Double check appliances that produce heat!
Kristen of Houston, Texas caught her kitty Sinclair enjoying the warmest spot in the house. Though he is rather cute lounging there, cats can easily become trapped in appliances like dryers and, well the unspeakable can happen. Just like thumping the hood of your car before starting it, always do a kitty head-count and double check that your laundry doesn't have more cat hair in it than usual. You know, like a whole cat.
5. Keep Them Cozy
The safest pet is the cozy pet. Even in Florida, I bundle up in five layers of blankets and have been known to wear a knitted hat to bed. I may be a wuss, but I am a comfortable wuss. Likewise, your pets will probably be looking for the warmest spot in the house to lounge in. The best way to ensure your pet's comfort and safety in the winter is by making them a fort of blankets, getting them that super squishy pet bed, or (if you're the crafty type) knitting/crocheting them an enveloping basket of woolly warmth.
Gracie models a crafty-knitted cat bed. Free instructions on how to make a "kitty pi" can be found by clicking on the link.
Murderface demonstrates another option for safe kitty warmth.
Amy of Vermont gets bonus points for this kitty's awesome name. Do you know what it's in tribute to, Adult Swim fans?
So when you're using those amazing thumbs of yours, you evolutionary wonder, I implore you to please consider the furry things this winter. They're counting on you to see it out -- some can't make it without you.
This post dedicated in loving memory of Zion -- the gorgeous orange and white kitty posted in this thread -- and Gracie, curled up in her cat bed. You are remembered and sorely missed.
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