We've all noticed, winter has really arrived by now. And while some dogs still prefer to be outside in this weather, most prefer to lie by the heater. With us all turning the heating down a few degrees en masse this winter to economize, our dogs can still suffer from the cold a little faster. Let alone when they have to go outside, cold wind, sleet and snow, that still requires some preparation. That's why in this blog we give you 5 tips to make sure your dog doesn't suffer from the cold this winter!
#1 Don't go outside for too long
Dogs are more sensitive to the cold than we are. Especially at the ears, tail and pads of the feet, prolonged exposure to cold can cause discomfort and problems. In extreme cold, it is wise to keep dogs without a thick coat indoors as much as possible. A short walk is fine, of course, but don't go hiking in the woods for hours when it's freezing.
#2 A winter coat for your dog
Dogs and clothes, some people are a bit allergic to that. But for many dogs, it's nice if you put a winter coat on them when they go for a walk. After all, you don't want to go outside in your spring coat either when it's freezing that it's cracking. Especially for fragile dogs such as Greyhounds and mini breeds, it is important to wrap them well before going outside. This can be done with a fleece dog coat or a sweater with a waterproof jacket over it.
#3 Keep in mind the old folks
Unfortunately, when it comes to cold, age is more than a number. For our beloved senior four-legged friends, the cold brings a lot of hassle. Partly because, like very young dogs, they have trouble regulating their body temperature properly. As a result, they react more violently to cold temperatures than they used to. It sometimes seems a bit excessive but your old gray rascal will be very grateful with a nice warm sweater or dog coat. And if you really want to pamper them, treat them to a heated dog basket or dog blanket. Especially now that most people's heating is lower than before, they will love it.
#4 Protecting the Dog's Paws
Protecting a dog's paws from snow, sleet, cold and especially brine can of course be done with shoes. But most dogs really don't like them. Fortunately, we can leave them behind. If you know that there has just been a lot of gritting, it is wise to rinse your dog's paws after a walk. Road salt can cause irritation to the soles of the feet, because of the irritation your dog will lick his paws. This causes them to ingest small amounts of road salt after each walk. This may seem innocent, but it can lead to brine poisoning and you'd rather just prevent that.
If your dog suffers from dry foot pads, you can buy a balm specifically for dog paws. Be careful with the smallest breeds of dogs when using balm with Tea Tree oil. A very small amount (1%) is not bad at all, but if it contains more than 5% Tea Tree oil, it can be toxic for the dog. When in doubt, it is better to choose a honey-based cream for dog paws.
#5 Fight boredom
In the winter we all sit inside longer, which produces boredom for many dogs. But you also don't have to walk outside for hours to make sure the dog can expend its energy in a positive way. You can keep activities at home interesting by playing games together, but also with interactive toys such as a sniffing mat or puzzle. Especially a sniffing mat is ideal, you can also hide treats in it so the dog can play and eat at the same time! This way you challenge the dog both mentally and physically and he can nicely lose his excess energy without being cold. Dog food based on insect protein is ideal for winter, and for the sniffing mat, it is not only rich in protein and good nutrients. Which gives your dog everything he needs to keep himself nice and warm, it's also anti-allergenic dog food.
In a nutshell, just stay warm inside and make it nice and cozy. Do you have to go outside anyway? Then make sure you are both properly dressed so you can comfortably brave the cold with a half frozen nose due to the cold winter wind!
