To remind people to bring their animals inside in this weather?

[MotherofaSurvivor]

Just that really. I saw a thread a few weeks ago about this and I was astounded at how many people believed Dogs & Cats can't feel the cold?! Please don't be cruel. It's only Golden Retrievers & Alsations that don't feel quite as cold as we do. It was a Veterinary Surgeon who told me that a few years ago. Along with the fact that a 'Fur Coat' isn't sufficient for any animal in the winter. So it certainly won't be when it's this cold!!
Dogs & cats can still get Hypothermia and many do!!

Dear god, not another One!! What am I meant to do with my horse who lives out?

When I had a horse they had a shelter that we put extra sides on in the winter to make a temp stable. Even horses should not be out in this without suitable shelter

Stating the obvious

Whose talking about horses?

Mind you, the care of a horse does change seasonally, so why so defensive?

OP, I totally agree with you. My cat is only coming in a bit earlier and going out a bit later, around 4am, I worry about him, even though its his choice.

YANBU OP, but tbh anyone who let their cats and dogs in already is not going to if you remind them.

Our neighbours have guinea pigs in a run in their garden. It wasn't until it was snowing and blowing a howling gale that they took the guinea pigs into the house. The wooden guinea pig house has now had its roof ripped off by the gale and is full of snow. Can't believe some people's small animals are left out in really poor weather and not moved into sheds, etc.

What about the birds????

My doggy is currently curled up on her cushion by the fire. I agree that those who left their dogs , cats and furries out won't be reading and acting on your post.

Our rabbits live out in this weather. BUT we forked out for a large dog kennel 10x6m shed and run thing this summer. They have bedding boxes to bunk down in within the shed part of their housing. And a thick layer of straw. And 2 of the snuggle safe heat pads to make sure they and their water don't get too cold.

If we brought them into our house, they'd overheat due to their thick winter coats.

My next door neighbour kept the parent rabbits to ours in a small, standard rabbit hutch, with the open meshed side. The poor things baked in the summer and chilled in the winter. If they were lucky, he covered the hutch with some tarp on the worst days. I think his rabbits went in his cooking pot in the end, so he had no sentiments about them.

Some people have no clue about keeping pets.

Giraffe won't fit.

Our NDNs have three dogs in a kennel/run in their garden which never go inside. They must be freezing, poor things. Not sure what to do about it though.

Picturing all those sheep cuddled up in the farmhouse.
My horse lives out unrugged and chooses to stay out and not in the thoughtfully provided field shelter.
My cats choose to stay outside most of the day.
There are many many dog breeds perfectly adapted to live outside in cold weather.

Even your horses?! Seriously though OP,I get what you're saying. Years ago when I was a child,I used to bring my guinea pigs in from the shed,and keep them in a cardboard box in my bedroom when the weather got really cold.
The trouble is,as a PP said,the people who DO leave their animals outside in this weather probably won't be reading this.
As an aside,something I remember hearing a few years ago on the radio. A wildlife expert was talking about how wild animals cope with extremely cold weather. He said that foxes don't start to feel the cold until it drops to minus 15! Whether this is actually true,I don't know.

birds have a higher metabolism than cats and dogs/humans. They fluff up their feathers to keep warm (and they need water to do this, which is why bird baths are important I seem to recall from school) and spread oil on them. They also spend most of the autumn scoffing on berries preparing winter insulation. At night they go into "torpor" so use less energy. They also huddle with other birds in small spaces like shrubs or trees or roof eaves.

Cats and dogs can do none of these things outside apart from finding a small space to huddle in. Especially not the berries.

Ponies and cattle kept outside on a regular basis start to develop a winter coat, whereas a sudden cold snap would not prepare them for this. (I remember this from The Green Grass of Wyoming and My Friend Flicka)

Our rabbit is out. He has an enclosed space in his hutch, a fur bed, a snuggle safe, towels and loads of hay and straw. Extra food and we defrost his water bottle twice a day

@MrsExpo PLEASE call RSPCA!

Dont fancy bringing my chickens indoors! They have plenty of extra straw and are coping fine in this weather. The cat is too young to go outside yet and the dog is snuggled up on the sofa.
I dont have horses anymore but they were out everyday, rain or shine.

@Milkymilk Do you really think a bit of Hay and an enclosed part of what is essentially a small shed, would be sufficient? Would it be sufficient for you? I think not

Hes fine ! lovely and warm !
He has his winter coat, the snuggle safe is re some morning and evening and it’s packed full of hay and straw he really is totally fine

Re done (it’s lasts approx 10hours)

my two cats stuck their noses out the patio doors and reversed back into the house at double speed so litter tray cleaning for me

My guinea pigs are also out. Their hutch is insulated (with kingspan type stuff - done by DH) has a double layer of roofing, false ceilings with insulation added, heated pads twice daily, dry towels for snuggling in, tons of hay, water defrosted daily and extra food. There is also a cover we put over them to keep out the drafts. I think they are fine, although I have checked on them more frequently than usual.
They can't come inside as I'm allergic to them and get severe asthma.

Our rabbit is out too he has an enormous hutch and run which we have covered in bed sheets towels and tarpaulin - it's dry as a bone in there and when you stick your head in it's ever so warm and cosy. If we brought him in he would die of overheating.

I do agree that most pets (domestic cats and dogs, guinea pigs etc) should be kept indoors in this weather but most people are sensible to judge what's right for the animal - at least I hope so!

Anyway our cats are such wusses they've not stepped outside for 3 days and run a mile when you so much as crack a window.

Oh crap! My hamster's been out in the garden since lunchtime. I better go fetch the little bugger or he'll freeze to death.

I agree OP. I also agree with pp that anyone who wouldn’t allow their pets indoors wouldn’t change their mind based on your post but that shouldn’t stop you from mentioning it.

I couldn’t imagine settling down in a warm house knowing my pet was outside in minus temperatures.i do t have any horses though just cats and a dog. I suppose with horses all you can do is make sure you do whatever you can to make them as comfortable as possible, blankets and stabling if they’ll let you I guess.

There’s no excuse for leaving dogs outside imo. My dog was cold after spending time out in the snow with us while we were sledging etc so he’d be so uncomfortable in the snow for an extended period of time. He soon warmed up when he took up the living room floor by sprawling in front of the radiator.