It’s finally December, which means holiday celebrations, New Year preparations, and lots of cold weather. Your precious pooch may be as excited for snow as the neighborhood kids, but there are certain things you should do as a responsible pet owner to keep them safe and healthy during the cold months.
Food
To start with, let’s talk about how to feed your dog during the winter months. Before you make any significant changes, speak with your vet about how your dog’s breed, age, and activity levels impact what and how much food you should feed him during the winter. Some indoor dogs need to eat less, while some outdoor dogs need more calories. You should also ask your vet if a skin and coat supplement would benefit your dog because many dogs develop brittle and flaky fur during the winter due to the cold, dry air.
Shelter
Indoor dogs: Even though your pup is indoors, you may still need to adjust his sleeping arrangements so that he stays comfortable when things get chilly. Place his bed in a draft-free zone, and consider raising it up off the floor if you have tile or stone. Have a soft bed and a blanket available for chilly nights, and consider a heated bed if you have an older dog because that can help with weather-related arthritis pain.
Outdoor dogs: During cold snaps or extreme weather, all animals should come inside a heated space. If that’s not an option for you, a well-insulated, draft-free doghouse will work. Make sure that the doghouse is built off of the ground and that it’s small enough that your dog can stay warm but big enough for him to move around comfortably. It should also have a piece of heavy plastic or cloth covering the doorway to keep out any inclement weather, but don’t use a space heater or heat lamp because they can be fire hazards. Lastly, line the floor with straw or pine shavings (available at farm stores), and throw in a warm pillow and blanket for comfort.
Of course, our dog boarding or dog daycare in SLC can watch your dog during the day or night and keep him warm, dry, socialized, and stimulated.
Water
Water can pose a big problem during winter if you aren’t careful. You need to be extra conscious that water is always available, even if it means heading outdoors and breaking up the ice several times a day. If you find yourself in that situation, you may want to invest in a heated bowl, but regardless, you should only use plastic bowls in the wintertime because your dog’s tongue could get stuck to a metal one.
Additionally, keep your dog on a leash when you’re walking around ponds. The ice may look solid, but if he falls through, there is little you can do to help him until professionals come.
Exercise
You may need to do a little more indoor play during the winter months, but you should still get as much outside time as possible. It helps if you can go on walks during the late morning/early afternoon when the sun is shining, but you should always check his ears, nose, and feet afterward for signs of frostbite. Additionally, don’t let your dog eat snow (if you can help it), as that can increase his risk of hypothermia.
When you get inside, remove snow clumps from your dog’s fur, and rinse his paws off because road salt can irritate and dry out his feet or make him sick if he eats it or licks it off. If you go for a lot of romps in the snow, you might invest in a pair of doggie boots to keep your pet’s paws clean and dry.
Hygiene
You may have to alter your pet’s hygiene habits during the winter months because frequent dog baths can dry out their skin. When you bathe your dog, ensure that he is completely dry before going outside, and use a humidifier in your home if his skin looks too dry.
You should also trim the fur between his toes, so ice doesn’t build up and cause frostbite. If the weather is particularly bad (or you have a tiny dog or puppy), you might want to use puppy pads instead of going outside, so be sure to stock up before a storm.
Clothing
There are few things cuter than a dog with a little sweater, but that clothing serves a valuable function in keeping your dog warm during the winter. Little dogs, short hairs, and old dogs have a hard time regulating body temperature during the cold months, so if you notice Fido is shivering or more sluggish than usual, you might want to cover him up. Additionally, when you go outside, doggie snow boots can help keep his feet dry and warm, which can help prevent frostbite.
General
Lastly, in general, you should keep enough food and water on hand in case of a storm-related emergency. Anti-freeze tastes delicious to dogs (and children), but it is extremely harmful, so be sure to keep it out of the way and mop up any spills. And of course, don’t leave your dog in the car when you run errands. Just like the summer months, a car’s temperature can go from pleasant to uninhabitable in a very short time. If you wouldn’t be comfortable sitting out in the car without a coat on, your dog won’t be either.
