Taking the 'Bite' Out of Frosty Weather

This morning it finally turned cold. Not as frigid as those of you who live in the North East, especially those muddling through that early snowstorm. But for my neck of the woods, it’s downright frigid. We often forget to prepare until cold winds breathe down our necks. Yes, dogs (and cats) have fur coats…most of them do, anyway…but they don’t get fuzzy overnight. They take time, a gradual exposure to ever cooler temperatures prompts thicker fur to grow. And as new fur comes in, the old gets pushed out. Magic has started leaving clumps of wool around the house, not as much as during the spring shed, but I can tell he’s getting ready for winter. Even wooly dogs need protection Outdoor pets need shelter. Period. I don’t care if you have an Alaskan Malamute or Siberian Husky that chooses to stay out in the weather, you still must provide access to protection. Some breeds are well suited to thrive in the cold. Other thinly coated critters can be helped with a sweater. But any pet, even the wooly wonders, lose their insulation if they get wet or can’t get out of the wind. Fur insulates by trapping warm air next to the skin. Wind strips away this protective layer. Wet weather that soaks pets also negates this effect. A dog house that’s just large enough for King to curl up inside allows the dog’s body to warm the small area, and you can fill it with straw or blankets for extra burrowing/nesting comfort. Do your critters love cold weather or dread it? How do you protect them from winter’s icy blast?