Tis the season when the air outside is cold. Brrr... These are the times when the temperature outside causes our breath to freeze in mid-air. Here is where our furry friends have the advantage over us; they do not have to go out and buy a heavy coat, turn up the thermostat (and watch the money fly out the window and open doors); or purchase snow tires to keep our car safe on the roads; they just grow a thick coat of fur for protection.
We turn the heat up in the house to keep us warm and when our furry friends come inside they shed some of that coat to adjust their body temperature. Thank goodness man invented a vacuum to suck up the shedded hair. Here we have the advantage; we just take off the heavy overcoat and hang it in the closet until we decide once again to venture outside.
I haven't seen a dog yet that didn't like to go outside and push his nose in the snow bank or better yet roll in a snow bank. No matter how old they get they still like to act like a child in the snow; but after play they too start to look for a nice warm place to settle down and curl up for some sleep. Keep a close watch on your canine for signs of frostbite or injury when they play outside. The ears, paws and tails of dogs are the first places to check for frostbite. If frostbite has occurred, the ear tissue will appear pale or grey. Always check you dog's paws after a walk and be sure to clean snow out of them while checking for cuts. Remove the ice and snow deposits as he will lick this area and can become ill if the salt used to keep the sidewalk clean is toxic rather than pet-safe. Remember not everyone has a pet and not everyone is conscious about keeping them safe. If they are not pet lovers, it will not occur to them that there is such a product that is pet-safe and not realizing it will use the toxic snow melt.
After your dog has been outside and comes in shivering, is lethargic, and his heart beat is low and he is unresponsive; place a warm blanket over him and put him in a warm place and call your veterinarian as he is showing signs of hypothermia. A
heated dog bed is ideal to keep your pet warm during the colder months. An
insulated dog house provides a protective shelter for dogs that stay outside much of the time. If your dog's house does not have a cover for the opening; it is a good idea to add a flap that will keep the freezing cold out. Remember to use a blanket on the floor of the dog house to make him more comfortable. If the blanket becomes frozen, do not leave it in the dog house. Bring it into the house and thaw it out and warm it before replacing it in the kennel. If it fit's in your budget, a heater or
outdoor heated dog bed is a great addition to his house.
Cold temperatures are safe for most dogs; but they still need a warm place to settle into when it is time to sleep. There are many different types of insulated dog houses on the market that have been designed to meet the needs of your furry pet. With proper shelter most dogs can handle temperatures above 20 degrees Fahrenheit. However, puppies and the small dogs should not be left out-of-doors in temperatures that reach below 40 degrees. Certain short haired breeds (Chihuahuas, greyhounds, etc.) will become chilled after leaving the warmth of the home and will need to have a sweater put on for protection. Older, arthritic dogs are inside dogs and should never be left out-of-doors for any length of time.
An active dog in the winter will burn more calories in the cold and will need about 10 percent more food to compensate. Likewise, an inactive dog in the winter may require that you cut back on his food to keep him from gaining extra weight. No matter what the weather, it is always a good idea to provide him with 10-15 minutes of workout twice daily to keep him fit and in good shape. A heated dog bed is an ideal place for him to curl up on after his workout and will keep his joints warm, preventing stiffness that occurs after a workout in cold weather. Remember to be considerate and always take good care of your pet!
