Jack Frost came out of his seven month hibernation with a vengeance today. Temperatures plummeted and our dogs turned to their winter wardrobes and got out their warm dog coats.
In London some of us woke up to -0.9 °C. In conditions like this even when your dog has a heavy, thick coat of fur, he may well still feel chilly and need to putv on one of the warm dog coats that are available. After all, our pets are just as prone to getting frostbite with all those nasty issues of frozen skin and tissue and hypothermia as we are.
However, there are easy things you can do to protect your pooches from the worst of the cold. Not surprisingly, many of the safety measures you take for yourself will also keep your best friends warm and safe.
No dogs – not even the hardiest Arctic sled dogs – are meant to spend a huge amount of time outdoors in the harsh winter without wearing one of the warm dog coats. Thick natural coats on theior own don’t always protect all of a dog’s body parts.
Ears are exposed, paws are in direct contact with the cold ground, and noses stick out in the wind. This is why the advice from experienced pet carers and dog walkers like those of Cats, Dogs & Peace of Mind is to never leave any dog outside unattended for any length of time. Your dogs should only be taken outside when they’re going to be able to be active and have exercise. Even then, you may want to shorten your walk if it’s really too cold for comfort.
Like Boston terrier George and Henry, the Shih Tsu (pictured), dogs benefit from being dressed in warm dog coats, especially ones that are waterproof too. It is small dogs and those with short hair who need extra help when there’s a sharp chill in the air. A good coat can also help puppies and older dogs who may find it hard to control their body heat.
Sweater or coats can be a nice addition to make your pet more comfortable. But it’s important to your dog’s head bare. If it’s really so cold you think you should be covering a dog’s head, it means you really shouldn’t be going outdoors.
As well as covering them outside, it’s a good idea to both keep your dog’s coat healthy and provide that little bit more energy during the winter by bumping up the protein and fat in the diet you are feeding.
When you have been outside when you return give your dog’s paws a good wipe. Snow, ice, salt, and nasty chemicals like de-icers and antifreeze can get clogged up on your dog’s feet. Licking them, risks the poisons being swallowed and ingested. Antifreeze may taste sweet but it can be deadly.
Paws should also be checked for injuries because snow and ice can lead to painful cracks and bleeding. If possible the hair between a dog’s toes should be trimmed to prevent any ice building up
Remember if you feel it’s too cold to take your dogs out for a walk and you live in one of the areas that we cover then you can always call on Cats, Dogs & Peace of Mind (CDPOM for short) to step in. Get in touch to discuss your needs, call [telnumlink]07837 372527[/telnumlink] or email cdpom@aol.com
