How To Prepare Your Dog For the Winter Weather

January 6, 2009 by Dog Service Network
Filed under Safety

Winter is a cold time and you should not be concerned about your health, but also your dogs! Remain a responsible dog owner during the winter by caring for your dogs in the following ways:

Give your dog fresh water – Do not consider snow as a replacement for water. It could contain antifreeze or other chemicals that are poisnous.
Give your dog plenty of food – If your dog is outdoors a lot, he/she will need more calories to keep their body temperature regulated. If your dog is an indoor dog and is less active during the winter, be cautious of the diet given to limit his/her weight gain.
Rinse and dry your dog’s feet after a walk – This will help to limit tiny cuts and cracked pads. You can even use petroleum jelly to help soften and moisturize your dog’s pads to prevent from cracking. Think of it like how we use lotion to smooth our skin and prevent cracking, dogs need the extra care too during winter times.
Focus on keeping your dog warm
- If your dog is wet from the weather, towel / blow dry him/her to keep warm.
- Provide blankets and padding on uncarpeted floor areas

Finally, winter hazards to be aware of include:

Do not leave your dog outside for long periods of time – Dogs can get frostbite on their body such as the ears, tail, and/or feet.
Do not leave your dog in the car - The carbon monoxide from a running engine is dangerous.

Reference: ”American Kennel Club News Article: The American Kennel Club Offers Tips To Help Winterize Dogs”. Retrieved on January 6, 2009 from http://www.akc.org/news/index.cfm?article_id=3665

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