Oh, the Weather Outside is Frightful!

It's that time of year again, when the thermometer dips below freezing and we're all grateful for the warmth of the heated indoors.
Now is also the time to consider the comfort level of your pets, especially if they are kept outdoors much or all of the time. Most people have concerns about bringing outdoor pets inside, so here are a number of tips to smooth the transition, and the benefits of indoor pets:

Dogs
Outdoor dogs may have started out as indoor dogs, but were put out in the yard for behavior issues. Unfortunately, those behaviors are likely to get worse outside, rather than better!

• Dogs that don't receive regular feeback from their owners become unaware that any behavior of theirs is wrong. Additionally, without regular contact with their owners, they may lose the desire to please humans. So, they bark, dig, chew, jump and more because it keeps them busy, expends energy, and they never learn not to! With proper training, however, dogs can quickly learn which behaviors are acceptable and are able to come back inside to the comfort of indoor life.
• Keeping your dog's food bowls outside may invite more hungry critters than just your dog! Depending on where you live, skunks, possums, racoons and other wildlife may learn to expect a meal from your yard. In addition to the diseases they may expose your pet to, they may also be keeping your pet from getting the nutrition he needs! Feeding indoors ensures that only your dog is getting his food!
• If you don't have a fence, and instead tie your dog outside, she may be injured or even killed if she becomes tangled in her lead. The collar may choke her or the tie could wrap around a leg.
• The first step in bringing your outdoor dog inside is to invest in a sturdy crate. This will become a safe place for your pet to spend time while you're out of the house, and is a great way to begin housetraining your dog. Den creatures by nature, dogs that are confined will try not to soil in their 'den' - instead waiting until they can go outside. Crating your dog at least until he gets used to your day-to-day schedule is the best way to introduce and reinforce house training habits. You will also want to make the investment into obedience training. This will teach your dog basic commands, leash manners, and more.

Particularly as the weather gets colder, indoors is the safest place for your dog. With the right preperation, it is not as daunting a task as it may initially seem!

Cats
Because most communities don't have leash laws that apply to pets, most neighborhoods have at least a cat or two roaming around, and many homes may leave a bowl of food or water out for the neighborhood cat. If you are able to bring this cat into your home, her chances of making it through the winter are much better!

• Many outdoor cats bed down in shrubs and bushes for warmth. In winter, those shrubs and bushes may be little more than cold sticks, offering little shelter. Additionally, the small animals or rodents they kill for food may be more difficult to come by as all animals seek warm spots and spend less time running around.
• When you bring the cat inside, you will first want to work on litter box training. Because he is used to going outside, the two-box method will be best to start. Place a litter box near the door you brought the cat into, and another where you'd like the box to finally be. The cat's natural instict to dig and bury waste should lead her to the litter box, but you may want to cover any potted plants with aluminum foil to deter their desire to dig in the dirt, as they may have done outdoors. As she uses the box, move it a few inches a day toward the other box, until she is comfortably using just one box.
• Because your cat is used to having to hunt for his food, he'll need lots of stimulating toys to keep him out of trouble. Treat-dispensing toys or puzzle toys are great to give him the thrill of the hunt! You may also want to invest in window perches to allow him to keep an eye on the neighborhood!
• You will also want to train your cat to use scratching posts and other approved surfaces. Talk to your vet, or even stop by CMHS if you are interested in learning how to trim your cat's nails and other alternatives to declawing. Particularly if you are giving your cat outdoor access once the weather improves, you'll want to avoid declawing!

A cat in an indoor environment will enjoy a longer, healthier life than if she were left outside, and with the right transition, you will enjoy it as much as she will!