With Temps Dropping 30+ Degrees Time to Bring Pets Indoors

Maybe your pet is a "house" companion that spends more time on the couch than you do. However, if your dog, cat, or any other pets you possess are accustomed to being outdoors year-round, then it's time to put a kibosh on those plans this weekend and bring them indoors! As of today, Friday, January 27th, a winter storm warning remains in effect, with temperatures expected to plunge from 33 to 4 degrees by this evening. By tomorrow, wind chill values will hit -15, and temperatures will drop to -24 by Saturday night. Even though no new snow is expected Sunday or Monday, temperatures on both days will be very harsh for humans and pets alike, so refrain from enduring any extensive outdoor activities during that timeframe. (more below)

There's no doubt we all love our fur babies. So, please plan accordingly to keep them safe when the weather takes such major turns. When temps plummet, my Kelpie/Lab mix hangs out in the living room while I'm at work and, when I return, makes a mad dash to do his duty outside. Four years ago, you wouldn't be able to leave him alone in a room for three seconds, let alone an entire day. Back then, you could count on the television remote being used as a chew toy and decorative pillows reduced to nothing. He's 5-years-old now and has grown out of that stage. Plus, he's never been one to use the house as a bathroom. Now, if you're dealing with a pet who isn't very well house-trained while you have to be away for the day, see if a relative or friend could stay with them for the day or train them for a kennel. Of course, a favorite toy, water, and food are of the most importance, as well, but you already knew that. So, here's to keeping our pets warm and safe while this cold front moves in. Aww, way to be a "good human"!

Why do cats have whiskers? Why do they meow? Why do they nap so much? And answers to 47 other kitty questions:

Why do they meow? Why do they nap so much? Why do they have whiskers? Cats, and their undeniably adorable babies known as kittens, are mysterious creatures. Their larger relatives, after all, are some of the most mystical and lethal animals on the planet. Many questions related to domestic felines, however, have perfectly logical answers. Here’s a look at some of the most common questions related to kittens and cats, and the answers cat lovers are looking for.

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To prepare yourself for a potential incident, always keep your vet's phone number handy, along with an after-hours clinic you can call in an emergency. The ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center also has a hotline you can call at (888) 426-4435 for advice.

Even with all of these resources, however, the best cure for food poisoning is preventing it in the first place. To give you an idea of what human foods can be dangerous, Stacker has put together a slideshow of 30 common foods to avoid. Take a look to see if there are any that surprise you.

Source: With Temps Dropping 30+ Degrees Time to Bring Our Furry Friends Indoors

Filed Under: Montana, dogs, winter

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