A blog post on helping stray Animals in winter.
As winter sets in and the temperatures start to drop, we often think about how to keep ourselves warm. many of us do everything we can to ensure our furry friends are warm and comfortable. But what about all stray animals that don’t have a home or someone to take care of them?
Surely we have all seen a homeless animal at some point, whether on the side of the road, in an alley, or even poking around our yards. It is estimated that over 70 million stray animals live in India.
While most times we wish we could take them all home with us and offer them a warm bed and belly full of food and water, that simply isn’t possible for everyone.
Here are five tips to help your furry friend survive cold weather.
- Provide a warm shelter for strays
- Give them extra blankets or towels
- Bring them inside if possible
- Feed them higher-calorie foods
- Monitor their water bowls
1. Provide a warm shelter for strays
In winter, temperatures can drop to life-threatening levels for homeless animals. They may seek out warmth under cars or in other small spaces, but often these areas provide little protection from the cold. As a caring person, you can provide a warm shelter for strays to sleep in.
Provide a warm shelter for strays to sleep in. This can be anything from a cardboard box with a blanket inside to an insulated pet house. Find an unused storage shed or outbuilding that you can offer as a makeshift shelter.
Check your local newspapers and online classifieds for people giving away free items like cardboard boxes – these make great emergency shelters for smaller animals. you can purchase a ready-made option from your local pet store. Place the shelter in a spot that’s out of the way of foot traffic but still within view so you can keep an eye on it.
2. Give them extra blankets or towels
Give them extra blankets or towels to keep them cozy – one of the best ways to help strays survive cold weather is by giving them some extra warmth. Some blankies or towels placed in their sleeping area can go a long way!
3. Bring them inside if possible
The best thing you can do for helping stray Animals in cold weather is to bring them inside if possible. Stray cats and dogs are used to being outdoors, but they are not equipped to deal with extreme cold. If you have the space (a garage or tool shed is usually best) and the ability to take in a stray, even for just a few days. It can make all the difference in whether or not they survive the winter.
4. Feed them higher-calorie foods
Feed them higher-calorie foods to help them maintain their body heat and energy level. Think about adding some canned tuna or salmon (with bones and skin removed) to their kibble or opting for a raw diet rich in animal fat.
5. Monitor their water bowls
In sub-zero temperatures, water can freeze very quickly. If you have any strays in your area, make sure to monitor their water bowls with fresh, clean water. Just like us, animals need plenty of fluids to stay hydrated in winter. Their metabolism also increases to generate heat, which means they’ll need even more water than usual.
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