Just like you, your pets prefer and enjoy a comfortable environment. It is essential to consider this as you set a specific temperature on your thermostat. Your furry companion may not talk but will show discomfort when you put them in weird temperatures in the house.
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That being said, various factors determine how comfortable your pet will be in certain temperatures. For instance, the season will influence the temperature ideal for your pets inside the house. Let’s go over some key factors to consider about home temperature regulation.
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Temperature Requirements for Different Pets
Pet animals get comfortable at different temperature variations, including dogs and cats. For example, cats can survive in slightly higher temperatures than dogs.
Dogs’ temperature requirements
Your dog is alright if you are comfortable regarding indoor temperature. Suppose it’s summer; your dog will be okay with an indoor temperature of a maximum of 78 degrees Fahrenheit.
Leave your house at this temperature and a bowl of fresh water for your dog, and they will love you more for it. The cement floor and cool tiles also ensure your dog has a cool environment.
When winter comes, make your space toasty by setting the thermostat to 68 to 72 degrees Fahrenheit. Your dog will enjoy it as much as you do. Older dogs or puppies can’t stand anything lower than 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
Although you might create a warm space during winter, setting aside a warm bed for your dog is still best. You must ensure that your dog is just as comfortable as you are if you want to enjoy your time indoors,
Cats’ temperature requirements
Unlike dogs, cats thrive in warm temperatures, so the thermostat settings of 86-88 degrees Fahrenheit would work. Would you find those temperatures cozy? No. But you love your cat. So go ahead and pour your cat some fresh water into a bowl. Pull all the stops to ensure your cat has a relaxing day when you’re at work.
Older cats, kittens, and hairless breeds prefer warmer conditions, so budget for a comfortable cat bed. Cats love to be spoiled. They might not show appreciation, but knowing your cat is healthy is rewarding.
Cats and Dogs are the most common types of pets. However, if you are a pet parent to a fish, a bird, or a reptile, you have to be more sensitive about your thermostat temperature settings.
Your feathered friend prefers indoor temperatures to range from 65-85 degrees throughout the year. However, most bird species can regulate their body temperature during the winter by eating more.
If you have a reptile, a snake, or an Iguana, keep your indoor temperature range between 70 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. These pets also prefer if you can include a basking area illuminated by a heat lamp and radiant heat space in their enclosure.
Fish are pretty sensitive to temperature changes. Tropical fish thrive in temperatures ranging from 76-80 degrees Fahrenheit. A heater in the tank can help keep temperatures constant throughout the year.
How do you know when your pet is too cold
Although your pet can’t use words to express their discomfort, it’s possible to communicate with them. The cold season is here, and the temperature will only get more intense, so you must look for cues that your dog is uncomfortable. The worst-case scenario of what could happen if you expose your pet to extreme cold is frostbite and hypothermia.
Here are some symptoms that your pet is cold.
- Shivering
- Hunched posture
- Whining and barking( dogs)
- Anxiety
- Pet seeks shelter
Consider changing your routine with your dog when the weather gets more extreme. For instance, supplement walks with indoor activities that will help them generate warmth. Keep in mind that a happy pet will make you happy too.
Factors that influence the ideal temperature for pets inside the house
Before assuming that pets find certain temperatures comfortable, there are considerations that you have to make. Some of the factors described below determine how comfortable your pet is when you have a particular setting on the thermostat.
Size and weight
Small dogs, kittens, and hairless cats do not retain much body heat. It tends to leave the bodies more quickly. It’s a natural trick to help them cool off on hot days. In return, large cats can’t regulate their body heat naturally. It calls for you to take control of indoor temperature.
As a pet owner, ensuring your dog exercises and eats clean to keep off obesity is essential. Overweight pets have a hard time cooling off, especially during summer. A healthy pet is a safe pet, especially during the summer.
Coat
What breed is your dog or cat? Animals tend to have variations in their physical characteristics, especially coating, depending on their breed. Coat thickness determines your animal’s natural heat tolerance. Sometimes, you don’t have to worry about your pet being uncomfortable in certain temperatures.
A long thick coat ensures that your pet is comfortable in a cold environment, but it’s a disadvantage in a hot one. You can subscribe to grooming to get rid of extra fur on your pet, especially during summer, to help them regulate body heat. At such times it is best to keep watching your pet to know whether temperature affects them adversely.
Age
Older pets prefer warmth. Once your pet reaches old age, it might develop infections and joint problems. Warm temperature eases the experience of living with such issues.
The body fat of an old or an infant pet is low, so you must pay attention to their needs to stay warm during the cold season. Offer your old or infantile pet a warm cozy space to sleep and rest as the cold season sets in. It also helps to close the vents near their corner to maintain warmth.
Final Words
It’s easy to know how your pet feels about the temperature in your house. Ensure you keep an eye on them, especially when the weather is extreme, for instance, winter and summer. Know the factors that determine how comfortable your pet is with your thermostat settings.
Also, set the temperature in your house to match the season to ensure your pets are comfortable in your setup. If you have to, it helps to consult a heating and cooling expert to make your home comfortable for your pet.