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By Liz O'Connell
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Pet owners may want to start preparing now for a "supersized" El Niño expected to affect the country this fall and winter, with those caring for livestock facing some unique challenges when wet and wintry weather arrives.
The latest forecast suggests the developing El Niño could reach peak strength toward the end of this year, Newsweek previously reported, with there being a 75 percent chance it will reach historic strength during the October-to-December period.
“El Niño is being supersized before our eyes. The science leaves no room for doubt: the planet is in uncharted waters, and those waters are heating up,” United Nations Secretary-General António Guterres said in a statement earlier this month.
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El Niño occurs when ocean temperatures in the central and eastern tropical Pacific become unusually warm, influencing atmospheric patterns and shifting weather patterns around the world. In the United States, El Niño winters are typically wetter across the southern tier, including California, while the northern tier tends to be warmer and drier. Because conditions vary from one El Niño to another, animal owners should prepare for the specific risks expected in their region.
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Why Livestock Need Special Preparation
Preparing cattle for a potentially wet and cold winter looks very different from preparing a dog or cat.
Cody Deluisio, herd manager at Deluisio Angus in Pennsylvania, told Newsweek that cattle essentially rely on the food they eat to help keep themselves warm.
"Cattle's internal furnace is powered by digesting roughage," he said. "During an El Niño winter, which normally means wet freezing rain, their coats get wet and they lose their insulation."
That means owners may need to provide additional feed or protection from the elements. At Deluisio Angus, the farm is planning to have about 30 percent more hay on hand this year in anticipation of winter.
"Managing cattle in El Niño is less about bringing them inside and more about giving them the food and the environment to keep themselves warm and dry," Deluisio said.
Protect Livestock From Wet, Windy Conditions
Rain creates another problem for livestock: mud.
"Cattle turn wet ground into mud in no time," Deluisio said, adding that mud can cause cattle to slip and become injured or develop hoof rot from constant moisture.
Owners should therefore consider how they will manage areas that receive heavy traffic, particularly around gates, feeding areas and water sources, whether by using mats, keeping cattle on concrete more or cleaning those areas regularly.
Prolonged wet conditions can also make it more difficult for animals to remain clean and dry, making drainage and pasture management an important part of preparing for the season.
Wind protection is another important consideration. While it might seem logical to put cattle inside a heated barn during particularly cold or windy weather, Deluisio said that isn't necessarily the best solution.
"Cattle need fresh air, as in a stuffy barn respiratory illnesses will skyrocket," he said.
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Instead, his operation relies on three-sided sheds that allow cattle to escape wind and rain while maintaining ventilation. Windbreaks can be particularly valuable when animals are exposed to cold, wet and windy conditions.
"Even on the coldest of days you'd be surprised how much warmer it feels in the windbreak than outside," Deluisio said.
The goal isn't necessarily to make the animals warm through artificial heat but to provide them with the food and environment they need to maintain their own body temperature.
"With a 1,500-pound animal that was born and raised outside, you don't have the luxury of pulling them into the house when the weather turns," Deluisio said. "You have to actively manage their environment and feed so that they can continue to thrive through the winter."
What About Dogs and Cats?
For household pets, preparation is generally more straightforward, but owners should still think ahead before severe weather arrives.
Ali Smith, a canine behavior consultant at Maven, told Newsweek that the precautions pet owners should take depend on the animal and the risks expected in their region.
In areas prone to heavy rain, for example, owners may want to prepare an indoor potty area and make sure their dogs are comfortable using it.
But in areas vulnerable to flooding or landslides, Smith recommends a more structured emergency plan. Owners should know where they can go with their pets, and whether they can get there safely.
They should also prepare ahead of time to make sure there are enough emergency supplies, including food, water and prescriptions. Identification information and veterinary records should also be readily accessible in case an emergency requires evacuation.
"It's a lot of the regular emergency preparedness things we might expect," she said.
For cat owners, however, there is one preparation step that can become especially important during an emergency: getting their cats into a carrier.
"The big one I see is people not being able to capture their cats," Smith said. "Getting cats used to a carrier is a thing we need to prioritize especially in these areas!"
Meanwhile, dogs should have a secure leash and harness available.
Standing or floodwater can pose additional hazards to pets, particularly if it has been contaminated by sewage, chemicals or other pollutants.
Owners should also think about where they would take their pets if they needed to leave home. Identifying pet-friendly hotels, boarding facilities, friends or family members ahead of time can prevent a scramble during an emergency.
The exact weather associated with El Niño will vary by location, and the climate pattern does not guarantee that any particular community will experience severe weather. But preparing animals for the conditions that could accompany a strong El Niño can help make an unpredictable winter a little easier to manage.
Related Story
How Millions of Homeowners Should Prepare for ‘Supersized’ El Niño This Winter
Contact Newsweek editors for this story: Rebecca Flood and Anthony Murray.
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