Keeping Your Dog Safe In The Winter
Every winter, many dogs are injured and even killed in the cold weather. It is important to know how to keep your dog safe. The first thing you can do is make sure you take your dog to it's yearly wellness exams for their check-ups. If your pet has a medical condition such as arthiritis, the cold weather can worsen their symptoms.
Keep your dog inside more often during the colder months. If you must leave your dog outside, be sure to follow these tips:
* Provide a warm shelter without a draft and a raised floor. It should be large enough for them to lay down but small enough to keep body heat.
* Provide a water source for your pet. Be sure to keep water in a plastic dish (not metal) and keep it thawed and clean. *You should also feed your dog more during the winter months.
It's important to take your dog on walks, however it can be dangerous if you don't know your pets limit in the cold. Your pets cold tolerance can be limited by many things, such as, their coat, body fat, anxiety, health problems, and more.
Try shortening the walks or taking a different route. It is important to shorten walks because your dogs paws may become damaged in the cold. Their paws can crack or bleed if exposed to ice for a long period of time. Watch for sudden tiredness during the walk, this could be the first sign of paw injuries. One way to prevent this is clipping the hairs between their toes. If your pet has short legs or short hair, try dressing them up. Many dogs find sweaters/coats to be very comfortable in the cold. Some people even give their pets booties. Lastly, be sure to wipe your pet down after walks. While outside, they can pick up harmful chemicals that can lead to disease or death.
Although it could be a good idea to shorten walks, it is still very important for your dog to go on walks and get their daily exercise. If you personally have a hard time or dislike walking your pet in the cold, it's ideal that you hire a dog walker.
With all of these saftey tips, you can be sure to have a fun, safe winter with your dog!
Do you have any tips for keeping your pet safe in the winter?
Credit:
" Cold Weather Pet Safety." Cold Weather Pet Safety. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Jan. 2016.
"Protect Your Pet During Winter and Cold Weather." RSS. N.p., n.d. Web. 10 Jan. 2016.
