How to Protect Your Dog During Winter

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Dog In SnowGuest Author
Winter Time Is Fun Time
Unless you live in a place where it is sunny and warm all year round then you have to face the charms of winter. Sure, snow and a bit of cold weather is nothing you or your dog cannot handle, but do not forget that your pet, just as a child would, needs that special care to survive winter without any issues.

Playing in snow can be a lot of fun for you and your dog. However, snow can have unwanted effects if you do not take care of your pet. Freezing temperatures and icy water on the skin can weaken your dog and its immune system. In order to make winter a happy, fun and safe time of the year, you should take care of your little one.

Doghouse, House, Or No House
If the weather gets really cold and bad, consider your dog’s situation, would you like to sleep outside all night with just a shirt on? Of course not, neither would they like to freeze all night. Take care and during the really terrible freezing months, let your doggy in for the night. Or if they have a doghouse, make sure to make it cozy and warm, a few blankets can mean the difference to them.

Frozen Dinner And Ice
Unless your dog is one of those pets that actually like to stay in cold, do not let them freeze and become dog-icicles. Make sure you also give your pet an extra boost in their diet, it is colder, so they will need more energy to stay warmer. Pay attention to what they eat and take care not to overfeed them.

Fresh water is always important, not just during winter, but, due to water having the tendency to freeze during winter, check on your dog’s drinking bowl regularly. Do not let it freeze, ice will not quench your dog’s thirst and the poor thing will have to suffer to melt the ice somehow.

Poodle Vs. Winter

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Fur Coat Or Jacket?
Grooming your dog is also another way to keep your precious pet safe and warm during winter. Make sure that your little buddy is well groomed and that you do not give unnecessary trimmings where it is not needed. For some breeds, their coat is more than enough to keep them warm during the cold, but, for some you might need to pick out a good looking jacket.

Nowadays, dog clothing ranges from simple dog jackets to little booties. These things can help your dogs survive long cold months and the booties help prevent salt rashes and irritations on their little paws. Now they can be warm and fashionable.

Winter sickness
Take care of your dogs and pay attention when they show symptoms of catching a cold or if frostbite took a bite out of them. Keep them warm and dry because the winter weather can have an effect on their breathing and they can develop a nasty cough that needs immediate veterinarian help.

Keep all toxic items well out of your dog’s reach, and clean up any spill immediately. Be wary that antifreeze is very lethal but it tastes like heaven for dogs. Remember to keep your dogs safe and warm.

Written by Catherine Daniels, a huge animal lover, who loves writing about them in spare time. She enjoys hiking with her dog Cookie and cuddling with her cat Zoe.

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12 thoughts on “How to Protect Your Dog During Winter

  1. Cyndi

    These are all great tips and so important! It’s so sad when people forget about their furry family members during the winter. They deserve a warm home too!

    Reply
  2. Linda Szymoniak

    My cats are indoor-only and it breaks my heart every time I see a dead cat on the roadside. There is NO need for cats to go outside – especially in this weather. As for my dogs, I let them out only long enough to potty when it’s as cold as it’s been (-19 with wind chill around -50 was the lowest we went – so far). My smallest hound girl, Ran (she’s a Treeing Walker Coonhound mix who was born deaf) has the most sensitive feet, and when it’s this cold, her feet hurt before she can get back to the house if I let her go all the way into the yard, so I’ve been using a 20′ training leash from the back door with her. She has full access of the deck and driveway, which are shoveled, but still have a layer of snow. I’d rather have to clean up the deck than worry about her tender feet. I’ve had to run out into the yard and carry her back too many times – she’s 52 pounds and won’t hold still when I’m carrying her, so it’s not a good thing for either of us. My other two girls tend to run out, potty, and come right back in. My two boys, who are also my biggest (75+ pounds each) don’t seem to have as much issue with the cold, but I still make sure they come in after a few minutes. What I’ve been doing with them is letting them out, then letting them play in the house (they love chasing their toys when I throw them), and then let them back out to run off more energy. So far it’s worked out, although I think they will be as happy as I will be when the weather finally warms up and they can spend more time outside!

    Reply
    1. Diane MehimAndthecats

      I know some people have no problem letting their cats outside, but I just never could. When Harley was little, I had a cat harness for him, and we would take him out on “walks”. He usually found the one patch of mud and rolled around in it. We were also in an apartment at the time. Now we are in a townhouse, but share a yard with people who have dogs. When we get a house Tony wants to build a big cat pen for them that is screened in so they can go outside, but are protected from predators. We wouldn’t let them in it if we weren’t outside – just in case. Oliver was a stray we took in two winters ago. We tried to find an owner, thinking maybe he accidentally got out but never found one. The vet said it was probably someone who had an outdoor cat, who probably assumed it died. Oliver had fleas, worms and a nasty gash on his leg, but has wanted nothing more than to be a lap cat, and lay in front of our fireplace. He seems especially sensitive to the cold – which we assume is from him being a stray in the winter.

      Reply
  3. Iris B. Trujillo

    Initially, your dog could feel annoyed by the dog coat . He may well feel restricted initially, but try to become patient with him, as he is only acquiring utilized to the feeling of wearing anything unique. The investment is definitely worth it. You’ll be entering the winter season in a couple of weeks, and it’ll last for many months. Make certain that your dog is prepared to withstand the cold this time. He will probably be considerably more comfy, and you will not be concerned if he will get sick. Your dog will certainly provide you with a significant appreciative licking down for permitting him to have a toasty warm winter!

    Reply

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