How do you keep your pets warm?

[James.]

I didn't get a chance to get outdoors one last time before winter (or what we call winter in AZ) set in. I know what to expect for myself but want to make sure my dog is taken care of too. I normally take her bed which is basically a super thick foam pad but I am sure it is a really crappy foam so there isn't going to be much help there.

The last time I took her and new it was going to be cold I brought her blanket but it is pretty thin. I am thinking that I will bring a quilt or something a bit bulkier but am wondering what others do to make sure their furry friends are having fun.

[HBar]

Re: How do you keep your pets warm?

We have a 12 lb. Coton de Tulear. She has her own soft throw bunched up on the tent floor, but she will usually jump up on the cot with one of us. She is a master at snuggling under the covers, then sticking her head out, frequently on the pillow.

[Happy Joe]

Re: How do you keep your pets warm?

Since its rarely below freezing in the tent; when Dog was still alive I would just bring his bed... his natural fur coat kept him warm just fine., for unknown reasons all my dogs (mostly mutts) had long fur.
The cat (Useless) doesn't go camping... no need to supply a snack to the bears/mountain lions/coyotes/foxes.

In my experience when dogs get cold they tend to shiver just like you do... no shiver; they are likely warm enough.

Enjoy!

[bluestar99]

Re: How do you keep your pets warm?

I have a short haired dog as my camping partner. I usually bring her mat that I have in my shop for her. It is about 24X36 and 1.5" thick. There is a washable cover made of a canvas and I put that where ever I want her to stay and she does. In the trailer, she stands over me till I pull the quilt back and let he under it. I did just find a dog bed roll that has a vinyl cover on one side. I just started bringing that because it rolls up.

[toedtoes]

Re: How do you keep your pets warm?

Moose-dog gets cold easily (even though he is part newfoundland).

I have the clipper so it's slightly different, but they sleep in the overcab bunk with me - the blankets that keep me warm work for them.

When I was a kid, I had a white boxer. Her coat was extremely thin and she got cold extremely easy. I bought some sweatshirts and cut the sleeves to fit her front legs and velcroed the waist so it would fit snug. She was quite comfy in them. At night, she slept under the covers (with her head on the pilllow).

A memory foam pad can help also as it tends to retain the heat.

[toedtoes]

Re: How do you keep your pets warm?

Another idea is to pick up a couple throw blankets (Costco has wonderful soft ones in nice large sizes for great prices). I use these at home and in the clipper for me and the dogs will curl up with me on top of them - it's enough to help warm them up. Sherpa works great also.

[actad]

Re: How do you keep your pets warm?

My 20 lb schnauzer poodle mix dog has thin "hair", not fur - it is actually what would be the underfur - so her coat does not keep her warm. She sleeps in the travel trailer bed with us - she is on top of the quilted covers. She loves fleece blankets, I keep several on top of the bed and she snuggles up on the bed with them.

The propane heater in the trailer is pretty awesome, but the cold does come through the walls. One side of the bed is against the front wall and the head of the bed is against the emergency window. Pillows and thermal reflective windshield covers against the wall keep the cold out so it is like a little den in the sleeping area. I always pack a low temp double sleeping bag as an emergency backup, too.

She has her own Coleman Quad chair with a fleece blanket that she stays in when we are outside.

I have only taken her tent camping one time and it got in the 50's. We both slept on the cot (me inside the sleeping bag) and she curled up behind my legs burrowed in her fleece blanket.

[HBar]

Re: How do you keep your pets warm?

Another idea is to pick up a couple throw blankets (Costco has wonderful soft ones in nice large sizes for great prices). I use these at home and in the clipper for me and the dogs will curl up with me on top of them - it's enough to help warm them up. Sherpa works great also.

That's what we use at home, camping, and the pup. They are the best we've found.

[wpjackson]

Re: How do you keep your pets warm?

As many blankets as possible! The more layers you can have on the floor the better insulated and cosy it will be

[Stillness Wilderness]

Re: How do you keep your pets warm?

We have a Doberman and he absolutely loves wearing sweaters when it is cold out. Some dogs don't like them, but ours would stay in one all day if he could.

SW

[toedtoes]

Re: How do you keep your pets warm?

I didn't get a chance to get outdoors one last time before winter (or what we call winter in AZ) set in. I know what to expect for myself but want to make sure my dog is taken care of too. I normally take her bed which is basically a super thick foam pad but I am sure it is a really crappy foam so there isn't going to be much help there.

The last time I took her and new it was going to be cold I brought her blanket but it is pretty thin. I am thinking that I will bring a quilt or something a bit bulkier but am wondering what others do to make sure their furry friends are having fun.

You know this could be a reason to buy a new thermorest pad... Buy a new one for you and use your old one for your dog. Add a nice thick quilt/throw and she'll be set to go.

These are one set of the throws at Costco (http://www.costco.com/Life-Comfort%c2%ae-Ultimate-Sherpa-Throw-2-pack.product.100301002.html)