Contributer: Rachael Kimola

As winter descends on the Okanagan, a silent struggle ensues for our feline and canine companions. When temperatures plummet, cats and dogs face an alarming array of challenges that demand our attention.

Despite what your parents may have told you, pets are not ok to be outside just because they have a built-in fur coat on. Okanagan temperatures are getting lower and lower as we head into the holiday season and as a result, it91裸聊视频檚 time to bring your pets inside.

Every year, the Okanagan Humane Society responds to numerous calls regarding animals left out in freezing temperatures. Generally speaking, when it hits zero degrees, it91裸聊视频檚 too cold for your furry friends to be outside overnight or outside for extended hours during the day. If it91裸聊视频檚 too cold for you, it91裸聊视频檚 too cold for Fido. This time of year, a gentle breeze can cut right through even a thick fur coat and lower your pet91裸聊视频檚 temperature very, very quickly.

Signs of hypothermia in dogs include increased heart rate, followed by a slow heart rate. Rapid breathing, followed by progressively slower and shallower breath, sluggishness and delayed reflexes, depression, paleness, dilated pupils, and loss of consciousness. If your dog has any of these symptoms, bring them into a warm place immediately. Keep in mind that small dogs, senior dogs, puppies, and short-coated dogs are at a higher risk of rapid loss of body heat.

Our feline friends are even more susceptible to cold temperatures than dogs. Outdoor cats shouldn91裸聊视频檛 be out all day and night when temperatures are averaging 7 degrees C or colder. Indoor cats should have easy access to extra blankets and/or heated beds. No cat should be left outside without shelter once the temperature drops below freezing. Cats can only survive for 3 to 4 days in weather around or below 0C.

Many felines find themselves vulnerable to the biting cold, navigating icy landscapes without the warmth and protection they deserve. Frostbite, hypothermia, and even death become looming possibilities for cats left to fend for themselves in the icy wilderness. The stark truth is that these animals, domesticated or not, need our help to survive the harsh winter months.

One such cat was Dobie. He was found in -24 degrees Celsius last winter in Kelowna. He was cold, hungry and tired with badly injured paws and severely frostbitten ears. He suffered some severe damage to his ears that required surgery. The vet did the best he could to save some of Dobie91裸聊视频檚 ears, but ultimately, he lost most of them. He was adopted into a warm home and is currently living his best life.

Tips for protecting our feline friends:

• Create warm shelters: Set up insulated shelters with blankets or straw to provide a cozy refuge from the cold.
• Limit outdoor exposure: Minimize outdoor time for your cats, especially during the coldest parts of the day.
• Check paws for ice: Ice can accumulate between their toes, causing discomfort. Regularly inspect and gently remove any ice.
• Ensure proper nutrition: Cold weather requires extra energy. Make sure your cats are well-fed to maintain their strength and warmth.

Check your vehicle: Cats will often seek warmth in a vehicle91裸聊视频檚 engine block or wheels. Give your vehicle91裸聊视频檚 hood a good whack before you start the engine.

OHS has a shelter program where volunteers build little houses - filling them with foam and hay to ensure warmth and shelter from the elements and predators. A group of volunteers get together every year to build these tiny cat houses and then they are distributed throughout the Okanagan where there are community/feral cats living to ensure their safety through the winter months and beyond. Last year, a mom gave birth to her kittens in one of these tiny houses. All the kittens survived!

As winter tightens its grip, let us reflect on the responsibility we bear as stewards of our animal companions. By understanding the challenges, they face in the cold and taking concrete actions to protect them, we can ensure a safer and warmer season for everyone.