Share the warmth

When the cold winds blow, many pets get to curl up in front of the fireplace, or in a warm place in the house.

Outside dogs and cats aren’t so lucky. Neither are larger animals such as cows, horses, goats and sheep.

While large animals may be well adapted to deal with cold weather, as well as summer heat, their owners have the responsibility to ensure they receive sufficient feed, access to water, and shelter from the worst weather.

“Regardless of what animal it is, they need good food and drinking water,” said Roger Williams, Extension educator with the Cherokee County Oklahoma State University Extension Service.

The summer’s drought continues to be felt although fall and early winter rains have helped replenish most ponds. Of course, when the temperature drops and ponds freeze over, it’s essential to break the ice to provide the animals access to water.

Stock tank heaters also can ensure the animals have enough clean, fresh drinking water to sustain them through the cold weather.

“You have to make sure, one way or another, that they get water. That’s even more important than food,” Williams said.

Many farmers and ranchers only were able to harvest one cutting of hay this year, and in many cases, the hay wasn’t as high quality as usual. So hay is harder to find for some animal owners, and more expensive when they do find it.

“Hay was so short, a lot of people spent their profits on hay just to make sure they can get through the winter,” Williams said. “A lot of people aren’t set up from a real snowy weather.”

He said it’s a good idea to feed a high-energy feed, so animals generate the heat they need to keep them warm. And it helps if shelter is available to keep their coats from getting wet.

“A cow with a wet back will lose her body heat so much faster than one that is dry,” Williams said.

He said horses, goats and sheep have an easier time finding shelter than do cattle.

“It seems like they get by, go somewhere,” he said of goats. “Cattle get wet; that’s a big consideration.”

Roger Saunders, manager of the Tahlequah Farmers Co-op, also considers shelter important for large livestock.

“Just try to provide them with some sort of shelter with some bedding, such as stray or wood shavings. Make sure they have plenty of water. A lot of people kind of neglect water in the winter or they don’t think of it as much,” he said.

He said the hay supply is “really tight” this year.

“A lot of people are short on hay and hoping for a mild winter,” he said.

Many feed high-protein or high-energy grain mixes to their animals.

Dr. Bill Elliott, local veterinarian, also said it’s important for owners to make sure their animals get plenty of food and water.

For house pets, owners may notice they put on a little weight during the fall.

“They store energy to stay warm during the winter,” he said.

Large animals should get a large amount of hay, and should have adequate shelter.

“It takes a lot more food to give them the energy they need,” he said. “If they have a tank heater, they’ll drink a lot more water and that’s important.”

Elliott concentrates his practice on small animals these days, and he said many of the stories that circulate about pets’ exposure to Christmas treats haven’t played out in his experience. Poinsettias and chocolate especially are supposed to provide poison hazards to dogs.

“Don’t get all excited about the poinsettias and the chocolate,” he said. “I can’t tell you the last time I had a dog get sick because of poinsettias.”

And that problem isn’t confined to the holiday season.

“Just about every week I have a pet get sick from table scraps,” he said. “That turkey carcass — don’t feed it to the dogs. I see it weekly, ham, bacon, table scraps, chicken bones. The last two weeks I’ve had dogs come in with chicken bones where they shouldn’t be.”

Pet owners are buying the necessities, plus additional holiday gifts for their household companions this week, said Carla Hanna, assistant manager at PetSense.

First, there are the creature comforts.

“We have several different types of houses. We have indoor and outdoor heating pads. We also have beds,” she said. “We have clothing, like coats and sweaters. There are booties to keep their feet dry and warm. People are buying everything — treats and clothes and rawhide.”

As the thermometer has dropped, PetSense has sold a number of doghouses.

And when the family sits down around the dinner table, the store has treats that are healthier than all those human food scraps.

“We have gourmet Christmas treats. They’re human-grade food that are cute little cookies. If you eat them, they won’t harm you,” Hanna said.

The doggie treats come in shapes like candy canes, Christmas trees, and a round red cookie with a Santa belt.

If a toddler happens to take a bite out of one, there’s no need to get alarmed, since they are suitable (although not necessarily recommended) for human consumption.

The store’s grooming department also has been busy getting dogs in fine fashion for the holiday celebrations.

Hanna said normally six dogs come in for grooming on a typical Monday. This Monday, the groomer had a dozen appointments scheduled.

Holiday grooming also includes special scents and Christmas-themed bandanas or bows to accentuate that perfect canine cut.

When winter comes, it’s also a good time to think about bird feeding.

Saunders said customers come to the Farmers Co-Op for a wide selection of birdseed. Bird watchers can tailor it to suit their feeders and the type of wild birds they want to attract.