OK, so here I am again with more health and welfare tips! This time some reminders as the thermometers display cold temperatures and we are layered-up for walks.
As I may have mentioned (like a hundred times), my dog LOVES the cold but in some ways, that can almost make it harder to notice early signs that even my snow dog has to come in from the cold. Once Karma played so long in the snow that his paws were bright red that night and painful the next morning. So even if your dog loves this weather, please read on. These tips were taken from information on AKC.org.
- Don’t leave your dog outside in the cold for long periods of time or certainly without monitoring. Windchill affects them just as much so pay attention.
- Adequate shelter is a necessity! Even inside, make sure your dog is protected from drafts and too-cold floors. Provide options for them – from beds to towels to bare floors – so they can mange their needs.
- Watch out when walking near bodies of water that may look frozen as looks can be deceiving and weak spots occur.
- Keep you dog well groomed in order for his natural insulation to function properly. You may also need to clip hair in some places if it is holding onto snow – like the bottoms of feet.
- If your dog needs a coat, get him a coat! We like the Foggy Mountain coats but there are literally thousands to choose from. (also check out our previous post!)
- You may need to feed additional calories if your dog is spending a lot of time outdoors. It takes more energy in the winter to regulate body temperature. Just don’t go overboard!
- Be sure to thoroughly dry you dog after he comes in from the rain or snow and check the condition of his feet.
- Don’t leave your dog in a car as it can get cold in there fast. And running the engine doesn’t help, as the carbon monoxide fumes can be dangerous.
