My Shih Tzu & Jack Russull both stay in the garage while I'm at work (15.5hrs, including travel - 3 days a wk.). I'm in Ohio and we're expecting very cold temperatures and I'm getting a little nervous for them.
I have bales of straw placed around their beds & cardboard under them. one has a pet taxi with blankets & one has a fleece bed in a cardboard box with blankets & I have a heavy comforter over, around, & covering the entrances to their little bungalows. The garage is attached, so one wall is adjoining the house.
Right now it is 25 outside and about 46 in the garage.
Before I get a lecture about not being a good pet owner, this is my only option as my husband left me in a rural town where I have no one to help me take the dogs out while I'm working. These dogs are my family.
So, do you think they're gonna be warm enough? I have a small radiant heater, but am afraid of burning down the house while I'm gone.
2007-02-01 10:49:41 · 16 answers · asked by curlygirl 1 in Pets ➔ Dogs
People with rude responses are not helpful. If you have a comment, try and keep it helpful. Telling my I am mistreating my animals is a bit extreme, don't you think? I suppose I can't give every last detail of the care I provide or the environment in which they live (including the garage), but trust me, they are not mistreated. BTW, they are enclosed in the garages, not their beds, so I'm not sure how relevant it is how big the pet taxi is. The amount of pee & poop that these 2 dogs generate in 16 hours would be enough to destroy my house. But, I'm sure no matter what I say, the zealots will tell me what a terrible pet owner I am. For those who had something constructive to say, even constructive criticism with suggestions, thanks! To those who just wish to bash.... move along.
Also, they are about 4 years old and healthy.
2007-02-01 11:24:49 · update #1
ok, I don't know how to respond to specific posts, so I have to keep adding details. If there is a way, someone let me know.
Just wanted to add that in no way is it ever cold enough in my garage for their water to freeze. It's not a crappy shanty, it is an attached garage with a low finished ceiling.
2007-02-01 11:33:40 · update #2
It depends on the dog, but here is some clues (only you and your vet can know for sure though):
- Never leave a dog in below freezing weather, but your garage is above freezing so that is good
-Short haired dogs have the least cold tolerance
-Shih tzu's are not as tolerant to cold weather as Jack Russel Terriers are.
-If you feel they might be old, considering getting them dog jackets/sweaters.
-Make sure they always have water that isnt' freezing.
- Many people say that the rule is "If it is too cold for you, it is too cold for your pet", I must disagree though. My border collie loved the cold weather, and I would be freezing my butt off. Either I am a cold weather wimp, or she likes snow, either way, that rule didn't work for us.
-Make sure the shelter is large enough for them to run around and maintain body heat, but small enough to retain their body heat.
-brush your dogs regularily... keeps their coat in good condition for the cold
-If they are shivering, it is too cold
2007-02-01 11:36:16 · answer #1 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
If you could bring a dog house in there, Your dog would be snug as a bug. The smaller space inside a doghouse warms up faster and stays warmer longer than if the dog was released into a large room. It's excellent that the garage keeps the wind out. Now you have to give him a small space to heat up with his body heat inside the garage. Otherwise, let him into the house.
2016-05-24 03:18:57 · answer #2 · answered by Michelle 4 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I too live in Ohio and this weekend it is suppose to get below zero with the wind chill!!!! Both of your dogs are really small dogs and not considered outside dogs. Why can't you bring them in the house. Funny that you call them family...... would you keep your two legged family members in the garage? I'm sure you might answer yes if there are family members you don't actually care for,but what about the ones you love???
2007-02-01 11:04:35 · answer #3 · answered by ® 7 · 0⤊ 0⤋
Leave them in your house and clean up any mess later.
Fence them into your kitchen if you have to, but, I live in the Sierras and when it is 25 outside it is usually the same in the garage as the concrete floor just radiates the cold.
Please don't use any plug in heater for that length of time, they aren't designed for extended use and, they get very very hot to the touch.
Get a couple baby fences and close off your kitchen.
PS Sorry Margarita, at 30 below their lungs would freeze.
Another PS.. Hill Bill....Shi Ztu's don't have fur, they have hair, just like you have hair and these two small dogs will freeze to death because, unlike you (or me), they aren't covered in layers of fat.
2007-02-01 10:58:03 · answer #4 · answered by Liligirl 6 · 1⤊ 0⤋
They are too small to leave out in the garage in those temperatures. 46 is toooooo cold for those little doggies. They lose body heat real fast. Get them in the house. If you don't think they can hold it for 13 hours, probably they can't...then put up baby gates in the kitchen or somewhere that they have warmth and room. Put down wee wee pads..or even newspaper for them to go on if they have to. I keep one of my Tzus in a sleep & play...or play & go...like a playpen or crib, because she can't go all day without going outside. How big is the pet taxi?? Please...please get those poor COLD doggies in the house. Even if you have rugs all over your house, put plastic down or newspapers down or something down to protect your carpets.... or clean it up after you get home or on a day off..but protect your dogs, keep them safe and healthy. If these dogs are your family, then treat them like family and DO NOT leave them out in the garage in this cold. No wonder you are nervous...they are being mistreated and deserve better. You have many options, leaving them in the garage should NOT be one of them. That is not being a good pet owner.
2007-02-01 11:05:15 · answer #5 · answered by just me 6 · 2⤊ 1⤋
They are fine and will be fine, even in sub freezing temperatures all day as long as they are out of the wind. They are made with fur coats. When you are not there, they simply lie down, sleep and conserve their energy to regulate their temperature. As a matter fact you will see most dogs would prefer cooler/ colder temperatures than warmer/ hot temeratures. Cooler temperatures are easier on their sytems than hot or warmer. Have you ever heard of a dog freezing to death in car while the master is out and about running errands....as opposed to the idiots who leave their dogs to slow roast in their car in the summer.
2007-02-01 11:22:20 · answer #6 · answered by Hill_Billian 1 · 1⤊ 0⤋
i have a shih tzu and there's no way she'd be comfortable in that weather. i can't even get her to go out to pee w/o her lifting her paws up. i'm not judging you at all, but i think you may need to let the pups inside till it gets warmer. do you have a basement? also keep in mind during the hot summer months that it might not be good for them to be in the heat either. just my thoughts.
2007-02-01 10:56:08 · answer #7 · answered by I'm so crafty, I make people 5 · 0⤊ 0⤋
you should invest in a dog bed heater. they have them in most pet supply stores and they are a lot safer than space heaters. if you have no other options then try the bed heater and you may want to check into a water bowl that prevents the water from freezing.
2007-02-01 10:57:53 · answer #8 · answered by Anonymous · 0⤊ 0⤋
lengthy hair is nice but requires upkeep and u have to grow it out for a long time
2017-02-24 05:44:01 · answer #9 · answered by ? 3 · 0⤊ 0⤋
I think they will be fine. At least they have blankets to curl up in. It's not like you're putting them in a crate with no blankets, or tying them outside all day. Good Luck to you.
2007-02-01 12:04:03 · answer #10 · answered by Lynda S 2 · 0⤊ 0⤋