The dog days of winter

  • By Kyle Valentini
  • October 4, 2012
  • 332
                        
Summary: Pets need to stay warm in winter too. Provide proper attire, bedding and good nutrition to keep him happy and healthy when the temperature drops. Dogs like humans have different degrees of tolerance when it comes to winter temperatures. While some of our canine friends love a good romp in the snow others need a sweater just to brave the back yard for routine business. Indoor pets have it made but they still have to venture out a few times a day. There should be no shame in a sweater or a jacket to keep the chill off. Face it; dogs in clothes are cute so go ahead. Depending on a how warm your house is some dogs, especially older ones might enjoy a sweater indoors as well. Because dogs regulate their body temperature through their paw pads consider booties to keep him warm. In addition to cold temperatures winter also brings with it the need for various snow and ice removal aids like salt. The cold is bad enough but salt can irritate paws and lead to dryness. Ingesting the salt can make him sick as well. If your dog is too cool to wear booties wash his paws to remove any ice or salt after each walk. Our moms always told us to put a hat on before we went outside in the winter. A cap for the dog will help keep ears warm and elicit remarks on how cute he looks from everyone you encounter. Proper bedding can make a big difference in the winter. Even a warm house is cooler at floor level. Provide a bed that is up off the floor with a soft blanket to cuddle in. Avoid the use of electric blankets. Some dogs might be tempted to chew them. Extra precautions must be taken for pets that live outdoors. A proper house will be heavily insulated, have a sloped roof to prevent ice and snow from damaging it, plenty of clean, dry bedding. It might be easier to simply let the pet indoors. He is after all a pet that is counting on you to take care of him. Young, healthy dogs are like kids. They can play outdoors for hours. Physical activity is good for dogs and will keep them in good health. Spend time exercising your dog outside each day. Older dogs might not want to play as long or as aggressively as they once did but a few ball tosses can be good even for seniors. We burn more calories trying to stay warm. The same is true for dogs. Allow your dog to eat a little extra and provide healthy treats in moderation. The point is not to let the dog gain weight but simply keep weight on during the colder months. Our pets are our friends and become immediate members of the family. Treat them with love and respect and in return you will be rewarded with unconditional love that knows no boundaries. He sits. He stays. He comes. Most of all he counts on you to provide him with a few basic needs. Keep him warm and happy this winter.


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