Severe weather on the way.

notfromhere

Hi,with a very cold front coming in over the next week, I was wondering if anyone has any do,s and donts about keeping our pets safe in the cold,Like when is it to cold to walk our dogs and so forth.Thanks.

punisher5112

notfromhere wrote: »

Hi,with a very cold front coming in over the next week, I was wondering if anyone has any do,s and donts about keeping our pets safe in the cold,Like when is it to cold to walk our dogs and so forth.Thanks.

Dogs have fur so they are happy enough, just have a nice dry place for them to sleep.

We don't get that it that cold to be honest.

VonVix

Depends on the breed, depends on the dogs age, depends on the dogs coat type. Not all dogs are the same. Some dogs have coats built for colder weather, some don't. I've seen plenty of Greyhound/Lurcher types/Viszlas/JRTs in recent weeks shivering their little backsides off when out on walks in this averagely cold weather.

Knine

Feed the wild birds. They are going to be in real trouble next week with many of them having started nesting.

Kablamo!

I just put fresh straw in the kennels we have out the back for passing stray cats. I hope they can get in to them now, I fairly rammed them full!
Fresh water, mealworms and suet will be going out each day for our feathered friends too.

Bells21

Our JRTx was shivering the other evening as I was delayed before I got the stove lit so I dread to think what he'll be like next week! Also if people happen to have their dogs out walking they should rinse or at least wipe the feet when coming back in as the grit will have anti freeze salt etc in it.

jomalone14

Any outdoor-sleeping dogs, consider bringing them indoors overnight next week. If it's too cold for us, it's too cold for them

Fakediamond

I’m going to put a bowl of water inside an open shed door for the birds. I can’t think of any other way of keeping it from freezing instantly. Hopefully they’ll find it.

Also, if there is lying snow and lots of birds, you can lay out tarpaulin or similar on the ground and scatter bird food to allow for mass feeding. In 2010 I flattened out the big box from a new washing machine and it worked a treat as a platform. I had exhausted fieldfares refuelling for days in the backyard.

Knine

I brought beef dripping today. Very cheap. I melt it down and threw in a bit of soaked dog food and household scraps. Then into a plastic sweet roses box and it makes a high energy bird cake

Gael23

Some extremely cold weather on the way over the next few days. Advice from many animal charities is to keep pets indoors as much as possible in the coming days,
https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/irish-weather-beast-east-claims-12091452

tk123

Bells21 wrote: »

Also if people happen to have their dogs out walking they should rinse or at least wipe the feet when coming back in as the grit will have anti freeze salt etc in it.

God I never do this! And the roads we walk on are gritted all through the winter as it's a main route!
The only thing I've done differently today is put Bailey's fleece on to keep him warm where he's injured.

Alun

Fakediamond wrote: »

Also, if there is lying snow and lots of birds, you can lay out tarpaulin or similar on the ground and scatter bird food to allow for mass feeding. In 2010 I flattened out the big box from a new washing machine and it worked a treat as a platform. I had exhausted fieldfares refuelling for days in the backyard.

One thing to be aware of is that if the food contains any dried fruit (raisins, sultanas etc.) that these are toxic for both cats and dogs, so you should check first before spreading any bird food around on open spaces where pet might be able to get at it.

Ashbx

punisher5112 wrote: »

Dogs have fur so they are happy enough, just have a nice dry place for them to sleep.

We don't get that it that cold to be honest.

No true! Please do NOT leave them outside in this weather no matter how much fur they have.

https://www.irishmirror.ie/news/irish-news/irish-weather-beast-east-claims-12091452

Dyr

There's a bunch of stray cat's who hang out in my old mans wee shed (it's piled up with old furniture and bric a brac so no-one goes near it) they're a litter of young adults who look hale and hearty, not sure what to do with them, don't want the buggers freezing to death in there.

Doubt they'll take to kindly to being captured and brought indoors anyway

DellyBelly

Went out this morning to the shed to where we keep the dog and his water is frozen solid. Thought the shed would be better insulated then that. I'll put warm water in it tonight for him.

sillysmiles

DellyBelly wrote: »

Went out this morning to the shed to where we keep the dog and his water is frozen solid. Thought the shed would be better insulated then that. I'll put warm water in it tonight for him.

I am assuming you are trying to instigate a row and I really shouldn't respond, but in case you are genuine - if it is cold enough for his water bowl to freeze then you might need to consider bringing him in as his shed ins't insulated enough.

Bells21

tk123 wrote:

God I never do this! And the roads we walk on are gritted all through the winter as it's a main route! The only thing I've done differently today is put Bailey's fleece on to keep him warm where he's injured.

I'm just conscious of it as I've two paw suckers, perhaps I'm being over cautious. I've ordered paw protector balm too.

mymo

Bambi wrote: »

There's a bunch of stray cat's who hang out in my old mans wee shed (it's piled up with old furniture and bric a brac so no-one goes near it) they're a litter of young adults who look hale and hearty, not sure what to do with them, don't want the buggers freezing to death in there.

Doubt they'll take to kindly to being captured and brought indoors anyway

Get a few cardboard boxes and shred some newspaper into them, old clothes/blanket/cut up old duvet in bottom, put in sheltered spot in shed, up high is good cats like high places, if you can block draughts, if they're out there all the time and in good health, the shelter is great help, also warm Cat food a little and feed at regular intervals, even hot water on nuts will help. If they're feral that's probably the best you can do for them.

Gael23

sillysmiles wrote: »

I am assuming you are trying to instigate a row and I really shouldn't respond, but in case you are genuine - if it is cold enough for his water bowl to freeze then you might need to consider bringing him in as his shed ins't insulated enough.

Agree with this, sheds don’t count as indoors in this weather. Pets need to be in homes.

wayoutwest

This is where a dog should be on a perishing night like we're having.
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