Winter Care For Your Dog: What You Should Know
Posted on: 14 January 2016
When you adopt your first dog, you are likely excited and nervous about the prospect. It is exciting adding a new member to the family, but you may be nervous about making sure that you provide them with the best possible care. And when winter rolls around, you may wonder if there is anything special that you should be doing to care for them and protect them from the elements. Get to know some of the important steps you should take to care for your dog during the winter months so that you do not have to worry anymore and can breathe easy.
Avoid Prolonged Cold Exposure
Not all dogs are created equal when it comes to cold and heat tolerance. Some breeds of dog are far more adept at being out in cold weather than others (think Alaskan Huskies). However, no dog should be exposed to extremely cold temperatures for prolonged periods of time if at all possible.
Try to limit time outdoors to 10 to 15 minute intervals when the winter temperatures fall to below freezing. If you have a dog that needs longer walks and more daily exercise than that, you will want to be sure that their paws and skin are protected from the snow, ice, and cold during those outings.
Invest in winter coats and booties for your dog to wear during these longer walks so that they do not suffer from frostbite or other cold-related illnesses and discomfort. This apparel can also help to prevent injuries when they are exercising in the cold.
Watch Out For Snow and Ice Related Injuries
When it is snowy and icy out, even the most coordinated dog can easily suffer an injury. You will need to watch them carefully when they are outdoors and be sure that they do not get to crazy when running around in the ice and snow.
If your dog likes to climb stairs on your deck and porch and has a tendency to jump off of the last few steps when they get excited or are chasing something (as many dogs do), you may want to figure out a way to block off those steps in the winter. If your dog lands on a patch of ice and loses balance as they jump, they could sprain or even break their paw or leg bones causing serious pain and requiring long recovery times and surgeries to fix.
It is best not to leave your dog outside unsupervised in the winter for these reasons. Also, the rock salt that many people and businesses use on sidewalks and driveways can cause your dog to begin to limp or show signs of injury if it gets jammed into their paws. Be sure to gently wipe off your dog's paws whenever they have been outside to avoid further problems.
Now that you know a few steps that you can take to best care for your dog in the winter, you can be sure that you are doing all that you can to protect and care for your dog this winter. In case an injury does occur, contact a local animal hospital, such as Animal Medical Clinic.
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