A video of a Labrador squeezing into a tiny bed is going viral on TikTok.
Cold weather is hitting, making it a good time to remind our readers that outdoor pets need special care as the weather gets colder.
Forsyth County law requires that pet owners provide a shelter that protects the animal from the extremes of weather conditions in summer and winter. Often the shelter available for a dog in summer is inadequate in winter months.
Here are some suggestions from Forsyth County Animal Services for taking care of outdoor dogs and cats:
In the winter, outdoor cats sometimes sleep under the hoods of cars. When you start your car’s engine, the cat could be injured or killed by the engine belt. Before starting your car, you should bang loudly on your car hood to give the cat a chance to escape.
Adult dogs tolerate the cold much better than puppies. If necessary, paper-train your puppy inside if it appears to be sensitive to the weather.
Consider getting your short-haired dog a coat or sweater with a high collar or turtleneck that covers the dog from the base of the tail on the top to the belly underneath. This may seem like a luxury, but for some breeds it is a necessity.
Give your pets more food, particularly protein, during the winter, to help them grow thicker, healthier fur.
Wipe off your dog’s legs and stomach when it comes in out of the sleet, snow or ice.