On Tuesday, Joburg was hit with freezing conditions as a result of the cold front that brought snow to the high ground of the Cape and heavy rain in the mountainous regions of the Western Cape.
Read: #Coldfront: Here is your SA weather round-up in tweets
Even though the cold front has passed, the South African Weather Services reported that cold conditions are expected to last throughout the week.
The cold conditions are also a reminder to care for the most vulnerable – our two-legged and four-legged friends.
Here are six tips to keep your pets warm during these cold conditions:
- Bring them inside in the worst weather
If temperatures drop, bring them inside. A porch or conservatory is perfect for them because they won’t get too hot. If you’re not able to bring them into your home you could keep them in a car-free shed or garage. Remember, car fumes could be fatal.
- Keep pet shelters out of rain and snow
Make sure it’s in a sheltered area of your garden where wind, rain and snow can’t get in.
- Give them extra warmth
Put an old blanket or tarpaulin over their hutch to help keep it warm.
- Outdoor exercise
Even in cold weather, your pets need natural light and exercise so make sure they have constant access to an outdoor run to use, too.
- Extra bedding
If you have hamsters or Guinea pigs, give them plenty of hay to snuggle into. Change it regularly to keep their hutch fresh. They tend to love fleecy blankets and sleeping sacks.
- A heat pad
Place an animal-safe heat pad under their bedding for extra warmth. Wrap up their water bottles. Stop their water bottles freezing by wrapping water bottles in bubble wrap or an old sock.
Source: PDSA
