Moving Your Pet From a Warm to Cold Environment

Happy Friday, Missians!

I know it's still summer and even when fall officially comes in, it'll still be far from being cold (at least where I'm from, anyway); but just knowing that cold weather is going to be a very real reality for some people very soon, it got me to thinking about what happens when people move their pets from a place that's normally pretty hot (like in here in the south), to a colder environment.  And apparently, I wasn't the only one pondering this. 

I was able to find some info about this subject from the Nationwide article, "Moving Pets to a Different Climate."  Actually this article doesn't just cover moving pets from warm to cold, but also discusses moving them from a cold to warm climate.

So, for those of you considering a move with your pet from one temp extreme to the other, keep reading...
https://phz8.petinsurance.com/ownership-adoption/pet-ownership/pet-behavior/moving-pets-to-a-different-climate 

Moving Pets to a Different Climate

Prepare Your Pet To Adapt

Moving is stressful enough on people and even more stressful on pets. After all, they don’t understand why they’re being taken from the home they’ve come to know and driven for days across country to some strange house that smells like paint. Add the stress of moving to a different climate and you have a recipe for problems.

The Cold Shoulder

Many people assume that because dogs and cats have fur, they can adapt easily to cold. That’s not necessarily the case. Pets with thick, multi-layered coats can more easily bear the cold, but that can then make them more vulnerable to overheating inside a heated house.

On the other end of the spectrum, dogs and cats with thin coats can be very vulnerable to cold weather outdoors. Cold suppresses the immune system, so pets that become chilled can develop more viral and bacterial diseases.

In general, all cats and dogs have areas that are vulnerable to a new, colder climate: foot pads, ears, and nose. These exposed areas can become chapped and raw or even frostbitten if left exposed. Dogs and especially cats, who may spend more time outside, should be slowly acclimated to colder weather through short, regular walks when it’s dry. Avoid snow, sleet and cold rain; your pets probably shouldn’t be out in it anyway.

You’re Getting Warmer

Moves to warmer climates come with different challenges. First of all, is the area you’re moving to merely warmer, or also more humid? Desert regions present sometimes-blistering heat and sun, and dogs or cats can suffer serious sunburn on the same parts that are vulnerable to cold: ears, nose and footpads. In more humid areas, you also have to deal with the problems of mosquitoes and other flying insects.

The key to adapting your pet to living in a warmer region is water: lots of it, throughout the day. Make sure you position water bowls at several locations throughout your new home; your pet may not be able to orient itself right away, so it won’t have to travel too far for water. Hydration is crucial for maintaining body temperature and avoiding heat exhaustion.

Take your dog for walks in the day and evening to get him used to all temperature extremes, starting with shorter walks and steadily getting longer.

General Tips

• Make sure you acclimate your pet to your new climate gradually. Take your dog for walks in the day and evening to get him used to all temperature extremes, starting with shorter walks and steadily getting longer. With indoor cats, let them out for briefer periods in the beginning, then increasing.
• Groom your pet’s coat to suit the climate. Longhaired dogs and cats should get a trim for warmer weather, and especially for warm humid weather, where a long coat can actually develop a moldy smell. For cold weather, let your pet’s hair grow out a little, as long as you keep it groomed.
• If your dog is on the thin side, it doesn’t hurt to feed him a bit more to allow him to develop a thicker layer of insulating body fat. This only applies, of course, to dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors.
• Provide your cat or dog with an insulated pet house outdoors. That way, in case she gets trapped outside in the heat or snow, she has a safe haven.

Mostly, use common sense and your pet will adapt to the new climate in a few weeks.

If you liked this story, you may enjoy reading about microchipping pets and how to find lost pets.

That's it for now, pet lovers.  Hope you gained some insight into making the transition to different climates with your furry, four-legged friends.

I'll see you back here on Wednesday for our post honoring the dogs of 9-11.

Until then,
This is your host J,
signing off...