Another hard winter is coming due to frequent attacks on Ukraine’s energy system. Not only people, but also pets are suffering because of the aggravated situation. We have put together a guide on how to help animals adapt to the cold season.
For cats and dogs, you should choose thick-bottomed beds for the winter and place them away from drafts. You can add a blanket, and if it is very cold, use a heating pad (temperature – up to 40°C). Depending on the breed, your dog may get cold in winter without clothes outside, so dress them in overalls or sweaters made of waterproof material. You can also wear a hat and shoes.
Don’t leave your pet’s coat wet after bathing, rain, or snow – be sure to dry your cat’s or dog’s coat.
Food and water
In winter, the water should be at room temperature or slightly warmer. Food temperature should be 38-39°C. If the animal is on natural feeding, the food should be nutritious, with an optimal content of proteins, fats, and carbohydrates, but an individual consultation with a veterinarian is necessary for each pet.
If it so happens that your pet’s favorite food has disappeared from the market, you should change it to another, but gradually. To do this, you can use the 25-75-50-75-25 scheme. That is, for the first two days, add 25% of the new food and 75% of the old. For the next two days, pour the old and new feed equally, and for two more days, 75% of the new feed and 25% of the old feed. This will help avoid stress in animals without digestive disorders. If the animal has chronic illnesses, it is undesirable to switch to another type of feed. It’s better to make supplies in advance.
Birds and rodents should insulate their cage with hay or wood shavings for the winter, and the cage can be covered with a warm scarf. You can also use a heater BUT turn it on at a distance of 1.5-2 meters, and make it heat only part of the cage – the animal should have a choice of where it is more comfortable. Or you can use light bulbs that are used in incubators for birds.
Incandescent (40W) or ultraviolet lamps are used to warm reptiles. They should be placed above the terrarium or aquarium. Fish and turtles need to control the water temperature – it should not exceed 25-28°C.
What to take with you if you need to go to a bomb shelter with an animal?
A 1.5 kg bag of food;
Two bottles of drinking water (2 liters);
metal bowls;
a bag with a small amount of filler;
a harness or collar.
Veterinarians advise taking a heating pad or at least a bottle of warm water, as the animal’s thermoregulation can change under stressful conditions. You can also take some treats to calm it down. The animal should also have a collar with full information about it and the owner, such as its name, phone number, and home address.
It is better to choose a plastic carrier, because the pet can escape from the bag. At home, the carrier should be freely accessible and open so that the cat or dog can easily enter it and get used to it.
The main thing is to have your pets vaccinated regularly and to communicate with the veterinarian about the health status and characteristics of your pet.
The team of the Stabilization Support Services charitable foundation has also started preparing for the winter and is purchasing items that will warm the residents of the frontline areas.
The project “Responding to Life Risks and Humanitarian Needs of the Conflict-Affected Population in the South and South-East of Ukraine” is implemented by the CCC Charitable Foundation together with the international humanitarian organization CARE with the financial support of the Ministry of Foreign Affairs of Denmark.