Winter's cold air brings many concerns for responsible dog owners. Keep the following precautions in mind....
Don't leave your dog outside in the cold for long periods of time. Wind chill makes days colder than actual temperature readings. Be attentive to your dog's body temperature, and limit its time outdoors.
Adequate shelter is a necessity. Keep your dog warm, dry and away from drafts. Tiles and uncarpeted areas may become extremely cold, so make sure to place blankets and pads on floors in these areas.
Be extra careful when walking or playing with your dog near frozen lakes, rivers or ponds. Your dog could slip or jump in and get seriously injured.
Groom your dog regularly. Your dog needs a well-groomed coat to keep properly insulated. Short- or coarse-haired dogs may get extra cold, so consider a sweater or coat. Long-haired dogs should have excess hair around the toes and foot pads trimmed to ease snow removal and cleaning. If you do the trimming, take care not to cut the pads or other delicate area of the foot.
Feed your dog additional calories if it spends a lot of time outdoors or is a working animal. It takes more energy in the winter to keep body temperature regulated, so additional calories are necessary.
Towel or blow-dry your dog if it gets wet from rain or snow. It is important to dry and clean its paws, too. This helps avoid tiny cuts and cracked pads. A little petroleum jelly may soften the pads and prevent further cracking.
Don't leave your dog alone in a car without proper precautions. If the car engine is left on, the carbon monoxide will endanger your dog's life. If the engine is off, the temperature in the car will get too cold.
Health considerations
Just as humans often become more prone to viral infections such as coughs and colds during the winter months, your dog will be more susceptible to them as well. A strong immune system is important in helping your dog to fight off viruses and infections, so make sure that your dog is in tip top health coming into the winter. Consider feeding a vitamin supplement if needed to give your dog an extra boost.
Some medical conditions such as arthritis become much more pronounced during the cold weather, so you should account for this if your dog has any ongoing medical concerns or conditions. Keep them warm, be alert to the signs of pain or discomfort, and talk to your vet if you need a little extra help.
Potential winter toxins
The cold weather is often a hard time for motorists, who have to deal with the problems of iced windscreens, temperamental engines and frozen radiators. Antifreeze becomes a staple in many homes and garages during the winter months, and unfortunately antifreeze is highly toxic to dogs. It also has a sweet smell and taste, meaning that your dog is much more likely to consider drinking it than the majority of other toxins, which can be incredibly dangerous and sometimes fatal.
Never leave open containers of antifreeze lying around, clear up any spills quickly, and keep any and all toxins safely out of reach of your dog (and children).
Elderly and mature dogs are much less able to deal with the changing seasons and vagaries of the colder weather than their younger counterparts, and need special care and attention during the winter. Older dogs are unable to regulate their body temperature as effectively as young dogs, so take care to keep your mature dog warm enough at all times.
Issues such as muscle and joint strains caused by walking and playing on hard ground are all amplified in the older dog, and elderly dogs have a tendency to injure more easily. Remember your dog’s age when walking and playing, and make allowances accordingly. Keep an eye on your older dog’s health, wellness and general condition, as they may be more susceptible to winter coughs and colds.
