The German Animal Welfare Federation recommends keeping an eye on pets in the current icy temperatures outside and protecting them from the cold if necessary. How quickly an animal freezes depends on other factors in addition to the condition of its coat: Pet lovers should take precautions, especially for sick or older dogs and cats, to ensure that their four-legged friends get through the cold winter days well. Rabbits and guinea pigs that are kept outdoors all year round also need a frost-free shelter.
"Dogs and cats are protected from the cold by their fur and can usually withstand temperatures below zero degrees Celsius better than many people think. Nevertheless, there are individual differences depending on the age, breed and health of the animals and you should keep a close eye on your pets. As soon as they start to shiver or cling noticeably close to the owner's legs, they are freezing and should be protected from the cold," says Lisa Hoth, specialist for pets at the German Animal Welfare Federation.
A warm, water-repellent and well-fitting dog coat can be useful for dogs - very small dogs, animals without an undercoat, dogs with thinning fur or old or sick dogs in particular benefit from this additional thermal protection. Shoes or socks, on the other hand, should only be worn on the dog's paws if a vet prescribes them for health reasons - because they restrict freedom of movement.
To protect against road salt, which irritates sensitive dog paws and can cause nausea and diarrhea if licked, dog owners should rinse their paws with lukewarm water after every walk and dry them carefully. It is best to walk where there is no grit. If necessary, you can also shorten the rounds in extremely cold weather and walk more often.
Cat owners should make sure that outdoor cats have access to their home at all times to protect themselves from the cold. If the cat spends most of its time outside, you can offer it an insulated cat hut, for example.
SMALL PETS NEED WARM SHELTER
If rabbits and guinea pigs are used to it, they can be kept outside all year round as long as they are healthy and can retreat to a frost-free shelter. Older and underweight animals must be monitored. Shelters should consist of several chambers so that the animals have eating, sleeping and toilet areas. In addition to insulation, newspaper, straw or hay, which should be replaced as soon as it gets wet, are suitable for insulating the hut. On very cold nights, a heating pad placed underneath can also help. The drinking water must be checked regularly so that it does not freeze. As exercise warms you up and keeps you fit, it is important to offer small pets the opportunity to jump around in a run at all times, even in winter. Mice, rats and hamsters should be kept indoors all year round.
