Prep Your Dog for Winter Weather<\/h2>\n
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Even though it feels like winter sneaks up on us every year, we should paws to consider that we need to ease our dogs into winter. Prep them physically and mentally (and for some of them, emotionally) for the fact that without warning, they may need to run over snow and ice in their bare feet just to go to the bathroom. This acclimation takes time, though some dogs will adapt faster than others. If your dog gets to spend a lot of time outdoors, continue their outside routine as the days get shorter and the temps get cooler. If your dog is largely an indoor kid, they might have a harder time adapting to their brief outdoor sojourns when it gets cold, so be sure to gradually introduce them to the elements. They may not ever love the cold, but eventually they\u2019ll understand it.<\/p>\n
Make sure you know your dog\u2019s tolerances (and enjoyment level) for the weather; it goes a long way toward helping them get used to winter. Here are some more tips for making sure your dog stays warm and safe in cold temperatures.<\/p>\n
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Keep Your Dog\u2019s Skin Moisturized This Winter<\/h2>\n
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Cold, dry air can create problems for your dog beyond those surprise static shocks that zap them every time they touch you while standing on carpet in the winter. You don\u2019t often consider your dog\u2019s skin due to that beautiful fur coat, but dry, flaky skin can be a serious issue for dogs in cold weather. Chapped skin can be itchy at best and cracked and bleeding at worst, so it\u2019s vital that you assess your dog\u2019s skin in the winter and ensure it\u2019s properly moisturized. Here\u2019s how to do it!<\/p>\n
READ MORE ABOUT MOISTURIZING DOGS IN WINTER<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n While some dogs, like huskies and Alaskan malamutes, seem built specifically for the ice and snow, every dog faces the dangers that frigid temperatures and wet conditions present. Dogs in cold weather are particularly vulnerable when it comes to their feet, but you can reduce and even prevent winter weather-related paw pad injuries by following some basic paw care tips and using products designed to protect paws. To start, make sure to wipe your dog\u2019s paws dry at every opportunity and check that their paw pads aren\u2019t cracked or matted with fur. Keep this up throughout the winter, along with the following safety tips.<\/p>\n It’s important to note that while the cold and ice are the greatest threat to the feet of dogs in winter, they\u2019re not the only threats. Ice melt or de-icer that isn\u2019t formulated for pets can not only chap and irritate; they can even cause chemical burns with prolonged exposure.<\/p>\n READ MORE ABOUT PROTECTING DOG PAWS IN WINTER<\/a><\/p>\n \u00a0<\/strong><\/p>\n With built-in fur coats, it seems like most dogs are built to thrive in the winter. Alas, this isn\u2019t always true. Sometimes, that fur coat doesn\u2019t help dogs in cold weather at all, and for the dogs with coats made specifically for winter climates, there\u2019s still such a thing as \u201ctoo cold.\u201d We\u2019ve collected these and other myths about dogs in winter so that you can read for yourself that sometimes, a dog has to come in out of the cold.<\/p>\n LEARN MORE ABOUT DOGS IN COLD WEATHER MYTHS<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n For dogs facing winter weather, you have to consider things that aren\u2019t quite so obviously impacted by the snow and wet. You have to think about questions like, \u201cDo I have to bathe them differently when it\u2019s cold outside?\u201d Bathing dogs in winter requires a bit of extra consideration. You need to consider timing: if it\u2019s below freezing out there, you want to make sure you won\u2019t need a potty break before their fur is fully dry. You need to consider the condition of your dog\u2019s skin in cold weather; if it\u2019s chapped or raw from the dry air, water temperature and even some dog shampoos might cause irritation. What other things do you need to consider when bathing a dog in winter? Check out our full blog.<\/p>\n LEARN MORE ABOUT BATHING YOUR DOG IN WINTER<\/a><\/p>\n <\/p>\n Again, we point out that while dogs have built-in fur coats, they aren\u2019t always equipped for a winter outside. That said, depending on the environment, some dogs are inherently more equipped for cold, wet weather than others. So should you buy your dog a winter coat? The answer is more than a simple \u201cyes\u201d or \u201cno,\u201d due to a number of factors beyond your dog\u2019s natural coat. Will the weather be wet? How cold are we talking, here? Are we factoring in wind chill when we discuss temperature? Answering all these questions and more will help you determine just what your dog needs to endure your winter weather. Luckily, we\u2019ve written an in-depth post about winter coats for dogs in winter.<\/p>\nHow to Protect a Dog\u2019s Paws in Winter<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nHow Cold Is Too Cold for Dogs in Winter?<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\n5 Tips for Bathing Your Dogs This Winter<\/h2>\n
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<\/p>\nShould I Buy My Dog a Winter Coat?<\/h2>\n
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