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Guide to help pets adapt to colder climate

When moving to the colder climate, you are aware that the change is coming, both for you and your family. Preparations are in progress, you are getting warmer clothing, and you need to keep your new house warm. But what about your pets? Have you ever considered that they are also going through the same situation? If your kids are complaining that it’s cold or warm, you can understand them, and you know when to act. However, since we do not speak the language of animals, we have to guess what are they feeling. As you can already imagine, this is not so easy. To help pets adapt to colder climate, we have to think in advance.

If you fear for your pets, do not despair, we are here to guide you through this process and share all the little secrets that will help find out if your pets are feeling good.

How to help pets adapt to colder climate

To be able to help pets adapt to colder climate, the first and foremost thing is to consider the type of the pet you have. It is not the same if you have a blue-eyed husky, in whose nature is to be in the cold weather, or perhaps a parrot. Our best advice is to google your pet online and find out what kind of climate they need. Based on your findings, you will be one step ahead.

If you are using the services of your chosen moving companies Burnsville MN, do not fear to ask for their advice. They helped many families to move their pets, and they can give you valuable information about how to move with your pets. As you are on the road it will gradually become colder, so be ready for it. Keep a spare blanket with yourself for your pet.

After the move

After moving, you will be busy unpacking and setting up your new place. In all this commotion you may forget about your pets. There are things to be unpacked, and this will keep you busy. If you have a lot of belongings, do not hesitate to use storage units Burnsville MN to store some of your stuff. This way you will not be occupied that much, and you will have more time to help pets adapt to colder climate.

Heater as a way to help pets adapt to colder climate
This kitty is having a great time sleeping on the heater

Know your pets

It is difficult enough to help your toddler adapt to the new home. With this in mind, you may forget about the needs of your pets, and this is where we step in to remind you!

As we mentioned earlier, you have to know your pets nature. Since there are so many different species and breeds, it is not possible to name them all. Nonetheless, we are going to talk about some of the more common animals that you can get as pets. This way you will learn how to help pets adapt to colder climate, and even if you don’t have one this might be the time for that to change!

Cats

Cats and dogs are two of the most common options for a pet. And, since I am a cat person myself, let’s talk about cats first. The first question you should ask yourself is what type of a cat do you have. Most people don’t know any cat breeds, so search it on the internet. Second, are you letting your cat out, or are you keeping it indoor? That will make a huge difference in the approach. If your cat is used to getting out a lot, you will have to be careful when in the colder climate. Do not let it out often in the first month.

Cat walking in the snow
Cats like warmth, but they also enjoy an occasional stroll on a cold day.

It is also smart to increase their food portions. Cats like warmth, so add proteins that will help keep their body warm. It is a known fact that cats are not so fond of putting clothes on them, but it doesn’t hurt to try. Unless you get scratched, that is. Still, if they like it, you will have a hard time taking it off of them.

Dogs

Now do not get me wrong, I like dogs as well. I had three dogs so far, and they are lovely animals. It is a bit harder to take care of dogs than cats, as they require more attention. You need to walk them more often through the pet-friendly parts of Minneapolis and play with them a lot. While cats can spend most of the day by themselves, dogs require constant attention.

This will make a task of keeping a dog warm much easier. Play with your dog a lot, and he will stay warm. It is also smart not to cut their fur that often, as it is an extra layer that will keep the body temperature up. Since dogs have to go out every day, a dog vest is a must!

Dog sleeping in a sweater.
A dog sweater is a must to keep them warm.

As promised, you are already becoming a real expert on how to help pets adapt to colder climate. Still, now is the time to look at smaller animals!

Parrots

Parrots are absolutely amazing animals. My first pet was a Cockatiel, and we had him for 23 years. Parrots are exotic animals, and they are mostly used to warm weather and higher humidity. Moving to a colder climate may be harmful to them, so be extra careful. Never keep your parrots cage close to the window. If you are opening it daily, they may freeze and die of cold.

To keep your feathered friends warm, use a humidifier to keep the humidity up and use a space heater to keep your home warm at all times. Another option is to cover the cage with a blanket or a towel, or even wrap them. However, know that this method will conserve heat, but will not warm them up.

Two red parrots.
Ara is one of the most exotic parrots, and they require warmth and humidity.

Gerbils

Gerbils are also popular as pets, although I never had one. Still, as I am an avid animal lover, I know many people who have gerbils. It is imperative to learn how delicate and sensitive they are. The best way to help them adapt to Minnesota weather is to find a good spot for them. The room shouldn’t be cold, and also avoid to expose them to draught. You can place an extra layer of padding on the bottom of their box that will keep them warm.

With this being said, know that gerbils may overheat easily. The temperature of their body has to stay below 20 degrees or their digestive system will slow down. It is a known fact that gerbils may experience heat stroke if overheated.

Gerbils sleeping in the cage is a way to help pets adapt to colder climate.
Never take your gerbil out of the cage when it’s cold, it is better to leave them inside.

Never keep them where the air is stale, and do not expose them to direct sunlight. It is also essential to avoid giving them food straight from the fridge. If the fruits or vegetables are cold, it will make them cold as well.

To sum up

We sure hope that you learned a lot about how to help pets adapt to colder climate. The steps you need to take are:

  • consider the size and the type of the pet you have
  • learn about your pets and what kind of environment they need
  • feed them more to keep the temperature of their body higher
  • learn about the side effects of overexposure to heat or cold

The pets represent a crucial part of our lives, and treat them the same way you treat yourself and your family!