Winter Tips
Bedding
Make sure your dog's sleeping area, bedding and crate is kept in a warm, draft free area, preferably raised or elevated off the floor. Tile and uncarpeted floors can be cold. Consider making blankets or rugs available for an area to get your dog off the cold floor.
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Be Prepared
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Winter brings extreme weather that can cause power outages. Have an emergency plan and make sure they include your pets! Have an emergency kit with enough food, water, and medication to last your pets at least five days. Most likely you will never need it, but if you do, you will be thankful you planned ahead
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Limit Time Outside
Dogs can suffer from frostbite, especially on delicate earflaps and tail tips. In extreme cold, it's a good idea to keep dogs inside, with the exception of the heavy-coated northern breeds that thrive in low temps. If it's not possible to keep the dogs indoors, be aware of the major signs of frostbite, which include skin that appears white or blue.
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Heaters
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Dogs will often seek heat during cold winter weather by snuggling too close to heating sources. Avoid space heaters and install baseboard radiator covers to avoid your pet getting burned. Fireplaces also pose a major threat so please make sure you have a pet proof system to keep your heat-seeking pal out of harm’s way.
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Paws |
Be mindful of your dog's coat length and the length of hair your dog has around and on the bottoms of its paws. Remove snow and ice from your dog's paws and coat as soon as possible as it can wedge between paw pads and toes and is very painful.
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Have a safe and enjoyable holiday season!
