Does your dog shiver from the cold when you go out or does he love to roll around in the snow? During the winter, many dogs feel the cold as much as their owners, especially if they are not used to low temperatures. Other species, on the other hand, are equipped to withstand the cold better than any human being can. To keep your dog warm you will need to consider its species and health, remembering that it is worth taking some time to care for your pet to protect it from the harshness of winter.
Steps
Part 1 of 4: Caring for Dogs During the Winter
Step 1. Groom your dog well
Avoid clipping, shaving, or trimming your dog's hair, as fur is its source of heat for the winter. It is important to take better care of the dog, using a comb to remove the knots and brushing the fur well, even during the winter, because felted hairs are less efficient protection against snow and rain and do not insulate as well. Combing and grooming your dog's coat can also relieve dandruff problems in dry winters.
Step 2. Wash your dog indoors
Make sure it's completely dry before taking it out. Wash it less during frosts, or don't wash it at all. Remember, when the weather is cold, it takes a dog longer to dry. Following this advice will allow you to protect your dog from the more serious problems caused by the cold.
If it is important to wash it, do it with short baths of hot water and dry it as quickly as possible. Never bathe a dog with cold water, as it will chill him a lot and the low temperature will not allow him to warm up
Step 3. Keep the fur around the tips of the paws well groomed
It will prevent ice or snow from forming between your fingers. After outdoor walks, check your fingertips for cuts, wounds, or foreign objects. If possible, keep your dog's paws in good condition by applying petroleum jelly or E45, but watch out for sticky footprints he will leave around the house.
If your dog is unable to wear shoes, be sure to remove salt and other chemicals used to melt the snow after each walk; chemicals can be toxic and salt is irritating
Step 4. Avoid overfeeding your dog
While it is important to eat regularly and well during the winter months to maintain energy and warmth, with a dog that lives indoors there is no need to increase the amount of food. Doing so means risking having an overweight dog.
- A larger amount of food is only justifiable for a dog that always lives outdoors and for dogs that are very active during the winter months. Talk to your vet about your dog's energy needs.
- Make sure your dog always has access to clean, non-frozen water, both indoors and outdoors. You can buy heated bowls for the outside.
Part 2 of 4: Taking Care of the Winter Dog
Step 1. Watch out for dog winter diseases
Like humans, dogs can get sick during the cold months, especially if they are cold or as a result of winter conditions; humid climates that cause respiratory infections, frostbite and the consumption of toxic substances are among the main concerns.
Step 2. Keep the dog dry and warm
This will help protect him from respiratory infections, such as kennel cough (the equivalent of a human cold). If your dog gets a respiratory infection, go to the vet right away. If you have multiple dogs sharing the same space, such as in a municipal kennel, the spread of disease will be more frequent.
Step 3. Freezing can be a problem for some dogs, especially hairless ones
Check the tips of the ears and tail in particular: if they seem cold to the touch, appear white, red or gray, and / or are dry and hard, then they may have frozen.
If you have this suspicion, wrap your dog's extremities with blankets or wipes to gradually warm them and go to the vet right away
Step 4. Keep toxic winter products away from your dogs
Antifreeze tastes unusually sweet to them and they will lick it if they find it. It takes about 4 teaspoons of this liquid to kill a dog that weighs less than 4.5 kg.
- If your dog ingests antifreeze, go to the vet right away, as the therapy must be given within a few hours to save his life.
- Another poisonous product during the winter is rat bait, used in large quantities, as they all come close to homes during the winter. Keep all toxic things out of the reach of dogs and other animals and clean up any spills immediately (close the animals elsewhere while doing this).
Step 5. Consider your dog's health problems
If your dog has arthritis or osteoarthritis, these can be aggravated in cold weather. Talk to your vet about the medicines and therapies available to the pet to keep your arthritic dog warm and fit during the winter.
Step 6. Take shorter walks in very cold weather
Don't try to take the same walks as when the weather is warmer. A shorter walk still provides enough exercise and recreation for the dog without either of them getting too cold.
Even if you're indoors, keep your dog doing activities. Play with him indoors, at games like fetching, pulling a rope, hiding toys, and if it's possible to let him run around inside, then do it. Let him run up and down the stairs to practice agility. Keep in mind that if your dog has joint or hip problems he will not be able to run, so just let him walk up and down the stairs
Step 7. Be aware that ice is as slippery for dogs as it is for humans
Sliding on ice can cause injury to your pet, so do not encourage him to play on this surface, especially when fetching or with the Frisbee.
Keep dogs away from frozen ponds or bodies of water. Ice may seem solid, but if your dog falls into it, he may drown. Unfortunately, people trying to save their dogs also drown, so no matter how sad you may be, never try to save your dog who has fallen into ice water
Step 8. Always keep your dog on a leash when taking a walk in the winter
If something happens like a snowstorm, the sudden arrival of a snow blower, or if the dog runs out on a frozen lake and falls into it, you won't be able to help or retrieve it. Make sure you have a charged cell phone with you at all times, to call for help if you or your dog have a problem.
Part 3 of 4: Providing Shelter for a Dog that Stays Outdoors in the Winter
Step 1. Understand the particular cold predisposition of your dog's breed
Some breeds are more vulnerable to the cold, while others adapt extremely well to harsh climates. Dogs that can't stand the cold well shouldn't be outdoors. Even the fittest need warmth and shelter to best survive as outdoor dogs.
- Dogs that are great in the cold include: Alaskan Malamute, Siberian Husky, and Chow Chow.
- Dogs that do not do well in the winter include Dobermans, small, short-haired or hairless dogs, and greyhounds. Any shaved or over-clipped dog falls into this category, because the thick winter coat is the dog's insulator.
Step 2. Provide adequate shelter
The best thing would be for the dog to stay indoors all winter, and only go out to get some exercise and his needs. This would ensure that the dog does not get cold when he is outside or when he sleeps. Puppies shouldn't be left outside, as they don't have the ability of larger dogs to keep warm outdoors.
- If you have a dog that stays outdoors, such as a sled dog, make sure it has access to shelter and a place to sleep in the shelter itself. Fresh straw creates a sufficient layer of insulation against the cold for an outdoor shelter. However, remember to change it regularly.
- An outdoor dog house should have a sloping roof, insulation and heating, especially in places where the climate is very cold. For rainy winters, make sure the entrance is protected so that rain cannot enter the shelter.
Step 3. Make sure the shelter is well insulated
For an outdoor kennel, create a raised floor 10-15cm above the ground. In the gap between the ground and the floor, insert insulating materials such as straw or packaging plastic, to stop the cold that radiates from the ground. You can also place a hot water bottle in that space to heat the floor from underneath, on particularly cold days.
- On the floor of the kennel, make sure the dog has a warm bed. Even if blankets are suitable, make sure there is plenty of straw too. Offer the pet at least six inches of compacted straw and consider pushing it against the walls and leaving more straw free so the dog can move around in a circle and create a nest to nestle in. This will keep the heat close to the dog's paws and reduce drafts.
- Remember, if the kennel isn't warm enough for you to sleep in, it won't be warm enough for the dog either.
Step 4. Make sure the shelter protects you from the wind
The perceived temperature is greatly reduced by the cutting wind. Always make sure that dogs outside are completely protected from the wind. If they have a kennel, add protection to the entrance to reduce wind entry. Also find out which way the wind is mostly blowing, and orient the entrance away from that direction. This information will also allow you to further isolate the kennel from the side most exposed to the wind, to reduce heat loss. To get an idea of the effect of the wind, do some research on meteorology websites.
Step 5. If the cold spell becomes particularly freezing and long, bring in all the dogs that are outside
Remember that the more layers of insulation you add, the cozier the kennel will be. Consider covering the kennel with an old blanket and then spread an oilcloth to reinforce the protection.
Step 6. Check the kennel daily to make sure it is dry and there are no openings
Wet cold is much more dangerous than dry cold. Also check that the bed is dry and warm; a dog sleeping on a wet bed will quickly develop infections and blisters.
Part 4 of 4: Keeping an Outdoor Dog Warm in the Winter
Step 1. Make sure the bed is warm and placed in a good place
Bedding is an important part of keeping your dog warm in the winter. If your dog sleeps on the ground or in places with drafts, place the bed off the ground. You can do this by placing it on a low platform, raised a few inches off the ground. The goal is to stop the dispersion of heat through transmission to the ground.
- You can improvise a platform with a plywood board, resting on books or bricks.
- A dog bed with stuffed cushions, blankets and old clothes will make for a good warm bed.
Step 2. Warm up the bed on cold nights
This is especially important for older dogs with arthritis. You can use a heated dog bed or hot water bottle. When dogs understand how comfortable they are in a heated bed, almost everyone accepts it and can't wait to use it as a dog bed.
- Older dogs, in particular, stiffen in cold weather. Keeping your joints warm can make them feel so much better. Even the simplest things help, like putting thick blankets on the dog when he's retired for the night.
- If your dog is past the chewing stage, you can use thermal bags that you can put in the microwave, which are designed to keep people's joints warm. Following the manufacturer's instructions, heat the bag in the microwave and apply it to the stiffest or swollen joint of the animal, then cover it with a blanket to make it feel more comfortable.
- There are many electric blankets or heated mats, and you can consider litter blankets as well. They are designed to keep puppies warm for long periods of time. When choosing a heated mat, always read the instructions carefully, to check if the animal can lie on it directly without risking burns. Some mats are intended for veterinary use and should not be covered with cloth to avoid burns to the animal.
Step 3. Clean and change the bed regularly
You will reduce the presence of fleas, germs and dirt. This is especially important in winter, when insects are looking for warm places to live.
Step 4. Use dog coats if your pet needs them and in special situations
Coats can keep the dog warm during the winter - especially small dogs, or short-haired dogs (such as Whippets and Greyhounds), and old or sick dogs. One of the main signs that your dog is cold is trembling, as in humans.
- Coats, blankets and sweaters can be bought or even made (knitted, with the sewing machine, crocheted or quilted) for dogs of all sizes. For rainier winters, you could combine a waterproof layer with it - but make sure it's breathable.
- Before using dog clothes, make sure they are dry. If the dog goes outside with a wet coat, the wind will evaporate the water and cause the dog's temperature to drop significantly. It's a good idea to have more clothes on hand so you always have one ready to put on.
- If possible, take your dog's coat off when he is indoors, if the temperature in the house is not very low. If a dog always wears a coat, he won't feel the difference when he goes outside.
Step 5. Use dog paw protectors when taking him for walking in the salt treated snow
The salt is irritating to the paws, and the snow is very cold. The shoes will keep the paw warm and protected from salt irritation. However, unless you have gotten your dog used to wearing shoes from a young age, it can be a battle to put them on some dogs, who will not stand them.
If your dog doesn't want to wear shoes, use positive reinforcement. Put a shoe on one leg, give it a treat, then take it off. Repeat every day and increase the time you leave your shoes on until your dog is used to wearing them
Advice
- You can put a bottle of hot water under the dog's bed to warm it up quickly.
- Make short visits outside when it's really cold. If you have installed a dog door, or a system that allows the dog to enter the heat, it is still important to check how long the dog spends outside, in case he stays there too long.
- If you feel cold, dogs are likely to feel cold too.
- Before putting the sweater on your dog, put it in the dryer for 5-10 minutes. This way it will be warm and soft, immediately warming the dog when he is out.
Warnings
- Never leave your dog outside for a long time in sub-zero temperatures.
- Never leave a dog in a cold car. With the heating off, the temperature drops quickly, it's like sitting in a freezer, and the air doesn't circulate but remains very cold.
- Never put an accustomed dog indoors suddenly outdoors in the winter. Dogs need time to acclimate to changes in temperatures; if you want to leave a dog out of the house in the winter, start acclimating it in the fall, so that it gets used to the changes in temperature, and the coat will respond by growing thicker.
- If your dog falls into a frozen river or lake, call for help. Don't risk your life trying to save the dog's.
