Winter Tips For Dog Owners
Posted on: 9 January 2016
It is an unfortunate fact of life that many dog owners make the mistake of underestimating the number of problems that the winter months can cause their pets. However, you can drastically reduce the chances that your pet encounters these problems by making sure to follow a couple of simple tips. Using these tips will help you to take better care of your dog during the long and cold winters.
Protect Your Dog's Feet While On Walks
If you live in an area that frequently experiences ice and snow, there are likely to be deicing chemicals on the ground when walking your dog. While these chemicals can be excellent at melting and preventing ice, they can pose a serious hazard to the sensitive skin on your dog's feet.
These substances can be corrosive enough to cause severe irritation to the pads on your dog's feet, and this can cause intense discomfort as well as a higher risk of infection. Additionally, your pet may accidentally ingest some of the deicing chemicals by licking their feet. To avoid this problem, you should make it a point to either put booties on the feet of your dog or make sure to have a towel on hand to regularly wipe off your dog's feet.
Avoid Having Your Pet's Fur Cut Or Trimmed During The Coldest Months
It is common for some pet owners to regularly have their dog's fur cut and trimmed. While there are many breed specific cuts, you may want to avoid getting these cuts for your pet during the cold months. Your pet may have a shaggy appearance during this time, but it may be a minor inconvenience to ensure that your pet stays as warm as possible on cold days.
If it is simply not an option to allow your pet to go this long without a trimming, you should make sure to invest in a special dog jacket. While your dog may hate wearing this garment, it can be the best protection against harsh winter temperatures. When choosing a pet jacket, make sure to select one that is waterproof to keep your pet as dry as possible on snowy days.
Keeping your dog safe and warm during the winter months can be more complicated than you might have originally thought. Making sure to protect your dog's feet against corrosive deicing chemicals as well as keeping your pet's coat long can keep your pet as warm as possible during walks on cold winter days. For more information, talk to a professional like Howard County Animal Hospital.
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