Winter Safety Tips For Dog Owners
Updated: Nov 10, 2020
Does the change in weather affect your dog?
Yes, weather can affect dogs behavior. Just like our own mood and energy. Were likely to be more energetic on sunny spring days, while cold, rainy days make you want to stay home in a cozy blanket on the couch watching your favorite movie.
Dog behavior in cold weather is influenced by our response to the cold weather. If you tend to settle in for the winter, your dog will get less exercise and mental stimulation, which lead to destructive behaviors. Staying active is good for you and your dog. It insures you both get enough exercise and fresh air.
6 TIPS TO PREPARE YOUR DOG FOR WINTER
Know your dog! Some dogs are more susceptible to the cold than others. Short coated, thin, elderly and even very young dogs get cold more quickly. consider putting on a sweater or coat to keep them warm. Remember, if its to cold for you, it is probably to cold for your dog!
Wipe their paws! When taking your dogs out for a walk your dogs paws can pick up all kinds of toxic chemicals. Massage vaseline or other paw protectants into the paw pads before going outside to help protect them. Be sure to wipe off there paws when you return home to keep them from licking it off and becoming sick. Make sure when ground is snow and ice covered, a pair of dog boots will prevent cracking paws and cuts from the ice. Trim the hair on the paws. Hair gets wet in the snow and freezes, or the hair remains cold and wet back indoors. Keep it short and clean. But not to short,
Leave them home! Just like a hot cars are dangerous in summer months, cold cars are also dangerous as well. Cars can act as refrigerator that hold in the cold and cause animals to freeze to death.
Keep them inside! Provide shelter. In a perfect world all dogs would live inside. If your dog primarily live outdoors bring them in during freezing conditions. Also dogs that spend a lot of time outside need more food to replace the energy lost from trying to stay warm. Make sure to use plastic food and water dishes instead of metal because there tongue could get stuck to metal dish.
Keep their ears dry! If your dog plays in the snow, make sure to dry their ears when they come in to prevent painful ear infections.
Special care for seniors! Cold weather will often aggravate existing medical conditions in dogs, particularly arthritis. If your not already giving your senior dog a joint supplement to ease the discomfort of arthritis, you may want to consider adding one in the winter.
Stay warm and enjoy everything winter has to offer:)