Indeed, despite their coat, dogs can suffer from the cold. Here are some tips to properly prepare your dog for the cold.
Adapted equipment
As winter approaches, it is not uncommon to see small dogs wearing coats. It is effective for dogs that do not live outdoors, thin or small dogs, young dogs or, on the contrary, old dogs. On the other hand, a dog in good he alth, accustomed to the outdoors and active does not need a sweater or a coat because this equipment is more likely to restrict its movements.
However, it is very important to protect the dog's pads.This is valid for all dogs. The pads should be coated with petroleum jelly or a specific ointment before the ride to prevent chapping and cracking. When you return from the walk, the paws will be dried. It is also advisable to cut the hair between the pads because this is where the snow is likely to lodge and form icicles.
For dogs that have walked on s alty roads - which is to be avoided - rinsing the paws in lukewarm water is essential. Otherwise, you have to invest in special slippers. The dogs are not hampered and can travel long distances on snow or s alty roads. Not to mention a reflective collar to keep the dog visible in the dark.
Adapt walks
To properly prepare your dog for the cold, it is necessary to adapt the walks. If you have to avoid snowy and s alty roads, you should also think about keeping your dog always active.Even if a dog, thanks to its hair and its metabolism, resists the cold better than a human, you have to be careful. For example, a dog should not spend too much time on the floor of a terrace while his master is drinking coffee. On the other hand, with a fragile dog, it may be wise to shorten the walks or go slower to give him time to get used to the cold and, possibly, the snow.
Not taking your dog out to protect it from the cold is a very bad idea. A dog needs his daily outing for his mental well-being and physical he alth. If a dog shows signs of fatigue during the walk, is shaking or seems to want to go inside, do not force him to continue. When the dog has a wet coat, it must be dried as quickly as possible with a clean towel or possibly use a hair dryer, taking care not to burn the animal.
Monitor water and food consumption
When the ambient temperature is lower than the animal's body temperature, the dog uses more energy to keep warm. Especially if the dog lives outdoors. In winter, dogs are always looking for sources of heat, so they can ask to go inside or sit in front of the window to enjoy the rays of the sun. It is therefore necessary to regularly monitor the weight of the animal and, if necessary, increase its daily energy intake.
All year round, a dog needs a lot of water and this is even more true in winter. Dogs do not like water that is too cold. Therefore, if the bowl is located outside, it is essential to check that the water does not freeze and to replace it several times a day with lukewarm water. To avoid dehydration, the master can give wet food to his dog.
Keep the dog warm
A dog who is used to living outdoors will adapt more easily to cold and winter than a dog who lives indoors constantly.He can therefore continue to sleep outside on one condition: to have a suitable and well-equipped doghouse. It should not be too small so that he can move easily but not too big either so as not to let in the wind and the cold. The dog must still enjoy a little warmth with blankets and a doghouse isolated from the ground.
Faced with winter, owners must adopt specific behaviors to protect their dog from the cold. It is about the well-being of the animal but also about its he alth because it can hurt itself. Be careful, a dog should not eat snow because it can cause vomiting or stomach inflation.
Also read: The dangers of winter for dogs