8 Ways To Protect Your Dog This Winter

Did you know that even our huskies and malamutes breeds, that we envision as winter-ready, are many generations removed from their dog sled cousins? Dogs can get frostbite and hypothermia just like us, especially on their ears, pads, and noses. The freezing weather poses a real health risk to all dogs.

Source by: Pixabay.com

Ways to keep your dog safe and warm during cold and freezing weather,

1) Look for signs that your pet is cold. If your dog is pulling up its feet one at a time while outside on a walk, it’s a sign its foot-pads are getting frigid. Lying in a tight, curled ball also indicates that a dog is trying to stay warm. Watch out for fur that looks puffed up. “That means they are getting too cold and need your help to get to a warmer place.

2) Buy your dog a coat or sweater. Winter coats and sweaters are especially important for dogs with short or thin coats. Look for one with a wide strap that keeps their vulnerable belly warm. A dog bed also helps your pet stay cosy at night and off the drafts floor.

3) Keep your dog on a leash when it’s snowing or icy. The ASPCA warns that dogs’ sense of smell is diminished by snow and ice and says that more dogs become lost in the winter than any other season.

4) Apply a paw balm before walks and wipe your dog’s feet after coming in from a walk. De-icers, salt, and sand all contain irritants that can harm your pet’s skin or sicken them if ingested. 

5) Antifreeze can kill dogs. Avoid leaving your dog in a garage and watch for puddles of accumulated antifreeze in parking lots. While some companies have started adding bitter flavor agents, anti freeze can taste and smell sweet and is highly toxic.

You can also read: Stress Management for Dogs

6) Never leave a dog in a car alone. Temperatures can plummet inside a car making your pet vulnerable to hypothermia or even death.

7) Even if you have an ‘outdoor pet,’ it’s time to bring it inside. Dogs who normally live outdoors should be brought inside as protection against the harsh conditions. In extreme weather, intermittent outdoor time for dogs to relieve themselves should be limited, and walks should be kept as brief as possible.

8) Puppies are especially vulnerable to cold. New puppies may never have been outdoors at all so they aren’t acclimated to low temperatures. It is suggested that if you are house training a puppy, you might need stick with paper-training until the weather warms up.

Share this post