Every winter season, the temperature decreases, but there is a significant increase in the level of hardship in keeping your dog healthy. Despite having a natural fur coat, freezing temperatures, snow, and biting wind could risk your dog’s health.
Burned paws, hypothermia, and frostbite are some of the things that they could get. The better the preparations are, the healthier your dog gets, and the less expensive and traumatic the veterinarian visits.
Try these tips to keep your dogs warm on a chilly day.
Keep in mind that dogs get cold as well.
Just like us, most, if not all, dogs needed a warm winter coat. Short-coated breeds and small dogs are the ones who are more likely to need one, but most of them need protection from the freezing temperature.
Rather than paying attention to the general temperature, you must pay more attention to the wind chill. Dogs hating clothing is not an excuse to not push them to wear one in that weather.
Keep your eyes on frostbite.
As mentioned above, cold weather could cause the dogs to have conditions like frostbite and hypothermia; staying outside for a long time could make them more prone to those conditions. Freezing temperatures damage the skin, thus causing frostbite. The tail, ears, nose, and paws are the familiar places affected by frostbite on dogs. Getting wet on snow might make your dog more vulnerable to frostbite. Make them wear boots, and always check for signs of discolored skin, pain, redness, and swelling.
Boots for your dog will are not just for cuteness.
Chemical burns are another severely cold weather risk. It is the result of exposure to snowmelt for too long.
These would irritate the paws and cause severe sickness if he licks it. Swallowing four grams of rock salt per 2.3 pounds of their body weight could kill dogs. If you salt your sidewalks, be sure that you use pet-friendly products.
In cold weather, jagged ice can cut a dog’s paws. Dog boots can do the job of protecting their tiny feet and make them look cuter. You could find a wide variety of dog boots, may it be a disposable one or an outdoor-adventure-friendly one.
Be observative over puddle drinkers.
Stop your dog immediately when you notice them licking eyes or lapping water in puddles. Tons of chemicals and bacteria linger on frozen waters on sidewalks and roads, which could threaten your dog.
In the cold season, most people use antifreeze to prevent the car’s engine from freezing. Such products might be helpful for drivers, but they are very toxic for dogs. Even consuming just a few of these products can be deadly for dogs. If you suspect your dog consumed antifreeze, rush to the emergency animal hospital. For preliminary measures, wipe down your dog’s legs, belly, and paws as you come inside; this could remove potential toxins they got outside.
Giardia, a parasite, lives in a dog’s intestine and is passed down through feces; transmutation to other dogs happens when swallowing some of the wastes. Their feces mixed with water could also be dangerous; they lick contaminated eyes or drink contaminated water. Diarrhea, weight loss, and a fatty or slimy stool are some of its effects. Those all require treatment from the vet.
Keep your dog warm inside.
A warm place to sleep, protected from drafts and cold floors, are things to prioritize giving your dog.
Warm blankets would also be a great help if your house is generally cold, and your pup could burrow in it when needed.
You could also make your dog wear a sweatshirt, t-shirt, or dog PJs if your home heat could be better or is particularly drafty.
Provide them a lot of foods
We should always ensure we feed our dogs with the best foods to keep them healthy all year. Dogs burn more calories during cold weather. Sliding on ice and romping in the snow make them burn calories; you better consider talking to your vet about increasing the amount you feed them. Always drink plenty of fresh water to fight dehydration and dry skin.