NICK GOSNELL
Hutch Post
HUTCHINSON, Kan. — Sheltering your pets in the life-threatening cold later this week is important, but so is making sure they are hydrated.
"You're going to have to put fresh water out there two or three times a day," said Randy Smith with Apple Lane Animal Hospital. "You're going to have to increase the food a little bit sometimes, as long as they have a place to get out of the moisture and get out of the wind."
Also, if it is possible, make sure that the house itself is elevated just enough to allow some warmth to get underneath it.
"If they have a house or an enclosure, it needs to have a little bit of air space between the ground and the bottom of it," said Jon Austin with Hutchinson Small Animal Hospital. "Obviously, they need good insulation materials, like straw or hay or blankets in there, something they can nest down into to stay warm."
Talk to your veterinarian for advice on proper diet and how best to keep your water fresh for the pet through the cold weather.
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