Important Reminders About Dogs and Winter Weather
Yes, extremely cold temperatures are dangerous for your dog. Don’t leave your dog out in the cold for extended periods of time even if they are considered “winter” dogs. Consider the wind chill. Blistering winds can make for dangerous temperatures for man and beast.
Satisfactory shelter should be supplied to your dog in cold weather. Give your dog protection from drafts and keep them warm and dry. Add blankets or padding to take the chill off of flooring.
Keep up with your dog’s grooming necessities. A well-groomed coat can help to keep your dog insulated against freezing temperatures. For dogs with skimpy, short fur, consider dressing them in a warm sweater or coat when they are outside for a walk or any extended duration.
For dogs with long hair, trim the excess hair found in the region of the toes and foot pads. This will make cleaning and removing snow from the feet much easier.
Just like humans who tend to burn more calories in the winter, your dog will require extra calories if they spend much time out in the chilly weather. The increased calories helps the dogs keep their body temperature regulated.
If your dog gets wet from the snow or rain, towel dry his fur. Be sure to clean and dry the paws especially. It’s a good way to avoid cracked pads. It’s also the perfect way to wash off any potential dangers to your dog. They can pick up rock salt and antifreeze with their paw and get sick licking and ingesting them.
If your dog is an outside pet, you need to get him a winterized dog house. It should be large enough for him to be comfortable, they can stand up and be able to turn around. It should be insulated, even heated if possible. Keep it out of the wind but in the sunshine with clean and warm dog bedding.
Check on food and water often to be sure your dog has adequate necessities. Especially if there is a chance of the water dish freezing. Your canine will probably eat more to keep warm. This is the winter layer we all tend to pack on in the winter so make sure your dog is fed adequately.
During storms and frigid temperatures, responsible pet owners should bring the pets in for the duration. Heartless owners have allowed pets to freeze to death rather than allow the dogs shelter.
Health Tips for Winter
Antifreeze – This is highly poisonous to dogs but yet they think it smells great and tastes good, too! Be sure your dog is never around exposed antifreeze.
Rock salt can irritate your dog’s paws. It’s used in the winter to melt ice on the sidewalks. This is the perfect reason for cleaning and drying your dog’s paws after they’ve been outside for a walk.
Provide your dog with plenty of water and if they have a water dish to use outside, be sure you check it for ice periodically.
Your dog can get frostbite is harsh winter conditions. By using common sense and bringing your dog in the winter, you can avoid potential frostbite on its ears, tail and feet.
Safety Tips for Winter
Don’t let your dog off its leash especially during a snow storm. A bad storm can cause them to lose their way and confuse their sense of smell. Winter is the number one season for losing dogs.
Don’t leave your dog in an unheated car for any length of time in the winter. It can hold in the cold and animals can freeze to death under the circumstances.
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