“If you’re cold, they’re cold”… is the favorite saying of animal lovers during this time of year. The answer is much more complicated than it seems for both pet and livestock owners. Depending on breed, preferences, food and weather, some animals are natural-born snow lovers, while others can’t wait for the warmth of that summer sun. One caveat here — before we dive into all things warm and cozy — is that all animals, whether livestock or pets, need proper food, water and shelter, especially when temperatures or wind chill become dangerously cold.

When Bella passed away, every piece of literature I received talked about how she was enjoying the warmth over the rainbow bridge. No offense, but if you met Bella just one time or saw her picture, you would immediately know that she preferred temperatures like this week and next. She was a cold-weather dog; getting her to come in on a snowy day was like trying to move a hippopotamus by hand. Most of the time, I lost the battle for warmth and she enjoyed snow time.

One unique thing about Bella was that when she decided it was time to just sit and enjoy the snow, she would curl into a half circle, tuck her foot pads close to her body, stick her nose barely out of her elbow and let the snow fall on her until she was blanketed by a good coat of snow. At first, I panicked and demanded she come inside to warm up (I was ignored with typical Akita attitude) and then I decided to do some research. See, dual-coated dogs like Bella have some cool attributes that allow them to enjoy frigid temperatures versus dogs like Miniature Pinschers (who will bake themselves in the Louisiana summer sun) that my brother and his wife own.

Dual-coated dogs, like the Akita, Corgi, German Shepherd, Great Pyrenees, Husky, Golden Retriever and several others, have two coats. The first coat is soft and dense, and very close to the skin; in the winter, it traps warm air and provides a blanket that protects the dog from the cold. The outer coat serves as a barrier for dirt and water so the undercoat stays clean and dry. In the summer, this dual coat works to keep the dog cool. However, some things can cause this dual coat to fail. When dual-coated dogs are shaved, soaking wet or the wind is blowing, this dual coat no longer works as efficiently and the dog can become cold. Snow collecting on a dual-coated dog out enjoying a winter’s day is a good sign; it means their external heating system is working.

As for cats, some cats like the Norwegian Forest Cat, Maine Coon and the Russian Blue, also have adaptations that help them stay warm in the winter while playing in the snow. These three cats have the same type of dual coats as dogs. However, most cats aren’t fans of winter. My two rescued domestic shorthair cats are fascinated when I bring snow into the house, but the moment their paws are cold, they’re done.

Most cats don’t enjoy winter and aren’t really equipped to handle the cold. Feral cats (please don’t turn your cats loose if you’re done with them; most domestic house cats do not survive the transition to feral and die horrible deaths) grow thicker coats, find shelter and move less to conserve body heat. They will seek out barns, sheds or even dig holes in the ground to help keep warm. If possible, provide food, water and shelter to help feral cats survive the winter, and if they need spayed or neutered, please reach out to various groups in the Valley that can help trap and return these abandoned cats.

Now what about those horses, sheep or cows that you see driving past fields in the winter. You might be asking yourself why they are not hanging out in their nice warm barn. Cows, sheep and horses are fairly similar in their approach to staying warm. Horses, sheep and cows will grow a thicker coat which helps to trap warm air and provides insulation.

Additionally, cows, sheep, and horses will often be seen munching on hay continuously in the winter. This act of chewing and digesting generates heat which keeps the animals warm during the winter. A horse, sheep or cow standing out in the field, covered in a fluffy layer of snow, munching on a round bale, is a happy and warm animal. Now just like dual-coated dogs and cats, if the cow, sheep or horse’s coat gets wet, its warming system doesn’t work as well and it can be in danger of frostbite or sickness.

So as we face the possibility of dangerously cold temperatures, taking care of pets and livestock simply comes down to good animal care.

Provide good, sturdy, wind-breaking shelter for livestock, pets and even ferals. Make sure animals have ample food, even a little extra, as well as access to clean, non-frozen water throughout the day. Keep in mind, if temperatures reach into the negatives, depending on wind chill, water can freeze in as fast as an hour. Skin can freeze in as quick as 30 minutes. Animals can also receive frostbite and lose ears, toes, tails and other parts of their bodies. If you suspect your pet has frostbite, they need to see a veterinarian.

As we settle into the heart of winter, it’s important that we not only think about our family, friends, loved ones and neighbors when it gets cold, but that we also think about our pets and strays / ferals that share our neighborhoods. However, if you see a fluffy dog or cat doing zoomies around a snow-covered yard at top speed, don’t immediately think they’re cold. There’s a good chance that the owner has attempted to bring that animal in at least a dozen times, and every time, they are met with a two-ton elephant that is loving the cold.

Just like some people love the warmth of summer, some animals love the snow of winter. So let them enjoy it, because as the saying goes, “If you choose not to find joy in the snow, you will have less joy in your life, but still the same amount of snow.”

Clemson is a member of the Trumbull County Farm Bureau and completed her Ph.D. at the Pennsylvania State University. She and her family farm in Mecca.