Here in Muncie, Indiana, the weather has been spectacular the last couple of days. I’ve reclaimed my side yard, it was cluttered with bags of aluminum cans I had been collecting for our #SnipClip free spay/neuter contest (winner will be announced Wednesday, November 4); cleaned my deck and put away flower pots and garden decorations; cleaned the dog kennel and got outdoor dog houses and cat enclosures ready for winter.

Old Man Winter is Coming: Tips for Keeping Outdoor Animals Warm

Do you have community cats that you care for? Does your dog stay outside all winter?

If so, NOW is the time to get your cat shelters and dog houses ready for winter. Don’t let them get caught in the cold! Keeping outdoor animals warm is very important and they depend on us to provide shelter, food and water.

Here’s some tips to keep old man winter at bay for your outside kitties and dogs:

Help Cats Beat The Cold

1-Collect styrofoam coolers to use as shelters.

2-Place cooler away from direct wind.

3-Set cooler upright, cut circle in the side so cats can get in to stay warm.

4-Place straw in the bottom (check/change frequently).

5-Tidy Cat cat litter containers make excellent food and water stations. Set it on the side, open the lid and secure it so it doesn’t close. Then place a bowl of food and water inside. Rain and snow can’t get inside and the cats can step inside and stay out of the elements to eat and drink.

6-Tidy Cat containers can also make simple cat shelters. Just set on the side, place a little hay inside so the cats can stay warm and place the container away from direct wind. You might set a brick or something on top to keep it stable and prevent the wind from blowing it away.

7-To provide a simple wind/snow break just take a piece of plywood and prop it up against a fence or building. Make sure to place it where the board takes the brunt of the wind, you don’t want the wind to blow directly through it.

8-If you have a garage or shed the cats use, make sure to have plenty of perches, shelves or furniture the cats can get on. Staying off the cold ground is important.

9-Provide various cat shelters. Not all cats like each other so giving them choices on where to eat, drink, sleep and rest is very important to keep everyone safe and happy!

10-Check for frostbite! Outside kitties are prone to getting frostbite on their ears, eyes, noses, paws, tails and bottoms. If the cats are feral and you can’t get close but you notice that there’s a problem, contact us. We have humane traps and can help you catch them so you can take to the veterinarian.

Help Dogs Stay Warm

1-Make sure dog house is raised off of the ground will help keep your dog warm. Simple tip is just to set it on a pallet or some concrete blocks. By leaving the dog house setting directly on the ground, the bottom of the dog house will get cold, elevating it prevents that from happening.

2-Make sure dog house has a flap over the opening so wind, rain and snow can’t blow in. If your dog house doesn’t have a flap, you can use an old car floor mat or a piece of rug. Just cut it to size and attach it to the house. Depending on the material, you could use nails, screws or maybe duct tape to secure the flap.

3-Place the dog house opening facing north or south if you live in Muncie area. Doing this, the majority of the wind won’t enter the dog house. If you put the opening facing east or west, your dog will be colder than necessary because the wind can blow in through the flap.

4-If you can place the dog house in an area that’s protected from the brunt force of the wind, that’s awesome. If you can’t, maybe put snow fencing up near so the snow doesn’t blow around the dog house.

5-For dogs who are tied out on a chain or cable, please check this now to make sure they’re in proper working order.

6-Tie outs and cables can freeze to the ground or get covered by snow and ice. Putting snow fencing up to prevent the snow from blowing directly in his area will help.

7-If your dog is in an outside dog kennel, placing tarps on the sides (and maybe over the top), will definitely help keep the wind off of your dog. It’s important to bungee tarps down extremely well because the wind could catch a flap and make it blow. This can make a lot of noise and can scare dogs 🙁 Check routinely during the winter to make sure the tarp is still secure and not flapping in the wind.

8-When the snow starts falling, be sure to check your dog frequently and make sure he has fresh, not frozen, water. Dogs (and cats) need more food in the winter to help keep their bodies warm. Plus, contrary to popular belief, they need fresh water at all times. Some dogs will eat snow when they’re thirsty but cats don’t typically and can dehydrate, even in winter.

9-If your female dog has puppies during the winter, PLEASE bring the mom and pups inside. The momma will need extra nourishment and energy to keep her babies alive. The puppies can freeze even with the best set up outside.

Keeping outdoor animals warm takes a little thinking and planning ahead. Doing this will definitely help your dog and outside cats stay warm during a long, cold winter.

If you’re going out of town and need someone to visit your dog or check on and feed your community cats, please contact us. We’d love to help. Our services are affordable, convenient and easy to schedule.

We provide pet care in Muncie, Anderson, Chesterfield, Yorktown, Daleville, Hartford City, Albany and most towns nearby.

Thanks,

Kelley Stewart, CEO|Pet Sitter
sit-stay-play In-home pet sitting & more.LLC

P.S. Do you have an old dog house, cat towers or pet crates you no longer need? We’d love to pick them up and find a new home for them. Just send us a message or call and we’ll set a time to pick up your donation.

P.s.s. Have you signed your pet up for our free birthday club? Any pet, anywhere can be signed up!