Keeping your dog safe and happy this winter is a lot tougher than it sounds. Dogs can’t survive in the cold water, so swimming needs to be kept to a minimum. They also cannot handle the salt on snow or ice, which can lead to dehydration and eye irritations. To make things worse, dogs will often eat anything that they find outside even if it’s not food! In this blogpost, I’ll show you 11 ways you can keep your pup safe through the winter months.”
Is your Dog safe in Winter?
Limit outdoor time when it’s super cold, windy or storming. Dogs enjoy being outside in mild weather and will naturally want to go out more often if they’re cooped up for too long. Try taking them on walks even if it’s just down your front steps! This way they still get some fresh air but don’t have as much of a need to roam around by themselves.
Give them an appropriate coat so their fur doesn’t freeze. One thing we did was buy my dog this awesome reflective jacket that he wears while we walk at night, to protect him from the wind and cold. It’s also great for walking in urban areas where cars might not be able to see you but your dog can!
Be careful with salt because the salt is a common household item that has many uses, including melting ice on sidewalks or driveways. Unfortunately it can irritate dogs paws if they walk around outside after being used so keep an eye out for any paw prints in the snow when coming back inside!
Take them to pet stores instead of parks. Especially now since there’s more people using local parks as their own personal dumping ground, which means less fun stuff like sticks and balls and more trash (like needles). If we took our pup somewhere he could play fetch, he’d be sticking his nose in a lot of disgusting things so we try to avoid it!
Teach them the “leave it” command. This is helpful for when you take your dog out and they come across something that smells interesting but might not be good for them. Teach your pup this command, which means don’t touch anything , then reward them with praise or treats whenever they do what you ask. In time, they’ll learn that if there’s nothing around to eat then going back inside will get their favorite treat anyway.
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Keep your dog’s fur trimmed and brushed to avoid tangles and matting.
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Add a sweater or coat to keep them warm in the winter months
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Make sure they drink plenty of water and eat nutritious food like meat, vegetables, and fruit.
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Give your pup some time outside every day even if it’s just for 5 minutes!
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If you have any other pets, make sure they are vaccinated so they don’t spread diseases to your dog.
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Always supervise your pet when playing outside even if they are on a leash!
Conclusion
With the winter weather setting in, it’s important to remember that our pets are susceptible to some of the same dangers as we humans. Ensuring your pet has enough food and water is always a good first step for both you and them. Be sure to check outside every day before heading out with your pup on walks or runs; if there is too much ice, postpone until tomorrow when conditions improve. And don’t forget about dog boots! Check out these tips from veterinarians at VCA Animal Hospitals for more ways to keep Fido safe this winter season.