What temp do puppies/kittys like to be at?

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drunkmike
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What temp do puppies/kittys like to be at?

Post by drunkmike »

As everyone is well aware, its winter! I am kind-of a polar bear so the cold really does not bother me that much and I in general keep the house at about 65-67 degrees. It does not seem to bother my long hair cat (nor has it for the past year) but I have a new puppy and am just kinda curious on how cold or warm is good to keep them at? I usually leave the house at around 67 when I leave and the sun will warm it up to around 70 but it is still early in the season and its only going to get colder (but no colder then 65 or so in the house at the very worst)..

Is this too cold for them? Both have beds to cuddle up in as well as there "blankies" for sleeping (I know.. I'm a goofball)..

What do you guys think? It doesn't seem to bother them at all but I am as always looking out for the best for my babies.. Ideas?
- Mike
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Traci
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Re: What temp do puppies/kittys like to be at?

Post by Traci »

Are you sure it doesn't bother them? Do you see them seeking warmth somewhere in the home, like more often near their blankies or in your bed, or near appliances like the refrigerator? I keep my home around 70-72 on really cold days, (on not-so-cold days, around 68)mainly because I have forced-air heat and the furnace doesn't click on as often as I think it should. (but I prefer heat and warmth all the time, that's just me)

Another thing that is important is how well insulated your home is...doors and windows with proper insulation, weather stripping, no holes or cracks in walls or floors, attic, etc. If you have linoleum or tile or wood flooring, at least place a small rug on the floor for the pets to lay on. If the home is well-insulated and no drafts, then the home may retain heat for longer periods of time, reducing the need to set your thermostat higher. But, every home is different, just watch your pets for signs they are cool, cold or seeking warmth.
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JUDY S
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Re: What temp do puppies/kittys like to be at?

Post by JUDY S »

I am sure puppies are different, and different dogs are different, but I used to see my german shephard sleeping outside in -25F instead of inside where it was warm. When it got colder then that he'd come in.
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Traci
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Re: What temp do puppies/kittys like to be at?

Post by Traci »

For dogs outdoors, no dog should be left outside when the temperature reaches below 35 degrees; small dogs, older dogs, and dogs without a long coat need to be brought inside at those temps. If the dog somehow prefers to be outdoors, then shelter must be provided to avoid wind, rain, snow, ice, etc. When temps drop below that temp, frostbite, hypothermia and ice on paw pads can become very serious for the dog.
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Re: What temp do puppies/kittys like to be at?

Post by JUDY S »

Kuj would be laying right by the door, he could come in and out when he chose to. But he did have a LOT of hair.
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davet
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Re: What temp do puppies/kittys like to be at?

Post by davet »

In case any of you flunked your first year physics classes, here is a good formula...

F minus 32 equals 9/5th C.


there are other sysrtems but this I remember from 1944
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Tambrey
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Re: What temp do puppies/kittys like to be at?

Post by Tambrey »

We do have 5 large dogs that prefer to be outside...especially Taz and Mysti...

however, we DO provide shelter, heat lamps (safely hung far enough to avoid hitting yet low enough to provide heat, straw bedding and of course plenty of extra food for fuel....

On REALLY COLD days they do come inside, especially Ghost, since he does not seem to build that winter coat like the others....

And Squirt is a pure black lab that is probably weighing in at near to 150 pounds now...when he stand up he is as tall as I am (5'9") and even on the coldest days when I worry about him, I touch him and he is toasty warm and running all over the place out in the snow...

We are going to rebuild their shelter this summer and we will be using the straw bale building technique....

http://www.greenhomebuilding.com/strawbale.htm

http://www.strawbale.com/


and BTW....yes...additions CAN be done to existing wood homes...if the dog house goes well, I will be getting a new kitchen/pantry/breakfast nook/bathroom!!
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