Dogs And Cold Weather
How Well Is Your Dog Protected?
Dogs and cold weather - that means its time to take stock of your dog's outdoor shelter.
You may have wondered if dogs get cold in the winter. The short answer is yes, some breeds more
so than others. Hopefully, your dog never looks as cold as the one pictured here!
So, in order to protect our best friends, let's start with the top priority which is to make sure
Rover has a
doghouse where he will be warm and sheltered against the elements.
The fact is, if your dog is outside for longer than you planned, or bad weather comes up
suddenly, the importance of an insulated doghouse can become paramount to his survival. For more
protection, add a door if his house doesn't already have one to help prevent heat loss. Another
good idea is to move the doghouse to an area with more sun exposure. You may even want to consider
adding a
heating unit to the house for the max comfort.
Cold "temperatures" are not the only thing to watch in bad conditions. The weather may often be
far harsher than the numbers on your thermometer indicate, if the wind chill factor increases.
Freezing rain is another weather condition you wouldn't want anyone to endure for any length of
time, much less your pet. Also, be aware that your pet's extremities - feet, ears and tail - are
the most vulnerable targets for frost bite, something to be doggedly avoided!
Dogs And Cold Weather - Keep Those Potty Breaks Short!
Obviously you'll want your dog to be inside most of the time during the winter months, but when
he has to make a trip outside, make sure it isn't a long one. Dogs that mostly live outside will
have developed thicker coats to protect them from the winter's chill, but wise owners still keep
a watchful eye on their condition when the weather is challenging.
In really extreme weather, a portable
indoor dog potty may be the
best solution!
Outside dogs, however, will also need additional fuel - as in food - during cold weather because
it takes more energy to stay warm, just like your car needs antifreeze to keep from freezing.
And, speaking of antifreeze, which can be deadly to pets - keep your dog far away from any possible
source of it. Apparently, antifreeze has a very sweet taste, but one lick can spell doom for your
dog. If your dog is ever sheltered in the garage, make sure there are no spills of this kind
around or leaking from your car.
Dogs And Cold Weather - They Need A Good Coat!
Another aspect of winterizing your dog is grooming, and while fleas are no longer the top priority,
you are not off the hook entirely! In fact, even closer attention to brushing is the recommendation.
Your dog's insulation is "rooted" in his coat, so keep it well brushed to encourage continued
growth of a healthy one, as well as to avoid dry winter skin conditions.
Some dogs can also benefit from wearing an "extra" coat, such as the stylish dog coats pictured on the
left.
Dog coats are not frivolous accessories - some short-haired or thinly coated dogs really can
benefit from wearing them!
Your dog's
Paws should be inspected more frequently if he spends any amount of time walking on
salted pavements. Make sure to wash and dry them after such an excursion, to prevent soreness and
chapping. Also, keep the hair trimmed on the footbed to lessen the exposure to ice and snow that
can easily become attached and build up in these areas.
So, has everything been covered for dogs and cold weather? Well no, not quite.
Before winter gets severly underway, give your dog a pet check-up with the vet to make sure he is
as fit as can be to handle cold weather challenges. And consider adding vitamin supplements to
his daily chow, as a bit of nutritional insurance.
In summary, take a look at the
igloo dog houses on the website.
These unique dog houses are the antidote for dogs and cold weather, providing excellent resistance to
winter weather conditions.
Humans that have lived in severe climates probably learned a thing or two about insulation,
don't you think!
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