As the weather grows cold, keeping pets warm in winter becomes an important issue. Domesticated pets such as dogs and cats are not wild, all-weather animals like wolves or mountain lions born to live outdoors. Therefore, safeguarding your furry household friend by controlling exposure to low temperatures is necessary for the animal’s safety and comfort.
When animals head outdoors temporarily — such as for a walk or to relieve themselves — a good across-the-board safety rule for pets is to never allow extended exposure to temperatures below 45 degrees. This limit is optimum for safety for most breeds. However, age and physical condition may warrant higher temperatures for some pets.
Other standards for keeping pets warm and comfortable indoors during winter should also be considered:
- Maintain consistent indoor temperatures. While it may be an energy-saving measure to turn the furnace down or off entirely while you’re at work or otherwise out of the house, it’s important to remember the pets you left behind. Temperature extremes are as unsafe for animals as they are for humans. Program the thermostat for a consistent 60 degrees or more while you’re gone and you’ll have both a comfortable house and a healthy, happy pet when you come home.
- Open curtains for warmth. Most pets are attracted to the natural warmth of sunlight streaming through windows. Cats, especially, will make use of any sunny indoor spot for warm comfort in winter.
- Never place a pet’s bed directly over or immediately next to a heating vent or heating appliance. It’s a safety hazard in some cases. Also, high temperature extremes are bad for many pets that don’t have the natural capacity to regulate body heat.
- Remember to change your HVAC system air filter at least every other month in winter. Pet hair captured by filters is a major factor obstructing HVAC airflow, which in turn makes your heating system less effective and reduces indoor comfort for both animals and people.
Paitson Bros. has been keeping pets — as well as their owners — warm during the winter since 1922. Contact us for more information about effective, efficient comfort control for your furry friends.
Jeff Paitson is a third generation business owner who continues to run the business with the same values that have been passed down from previous generations since 1922.
Jeff’s belief is that the business belongs to Jesus Christ; therefore 10 percent of the company’s profits go toward the Maryland Community Church.
Jeff is a Terre Haute Chamber of Commerce member and in his spare time, he enjoys 
Ethan Rayburn is a lifelong resident of Terre Haute and a 2005 graduate of Purdue University.
An Eagle Scout, Ethan spent four years as a non-profit executive with the Boy Scouts of America before joining Paitson Bros. as a comfort advisor and later General Manager. In that role, Ethan has brought a renewed enthusiasm for customer care, integrity, value, and service to Paitson Bros. Heating & Air Conditioning.
Ethan enjoys singing and was a member of the Purdue Varsity Glee Club. He also enjoys playing and coaching soccer, spending time with his family and two young boys, and volunteering his time and resources with his church, Terre Haute First Baptist Church, which he has attended from a very young age.
Paitson Bros
1 (812) 232-2347
Serving the Wabash Valley, IN Area Since 1922