During the winter season, many dogs feel the cold
as much as their owners do, especially dogs that
are not habituated to the cold, or that have
specific cold weather traits. Keeping your dog
warm through the winter months is important to
maintaining top health, and it won't take you
much extra effort to ensure winter coziness for
your canine pal. Here's how.
!! Steps !!
Understand your breed's particular
susceptibility. Some dog breeds are more prone
to the cold than others, while some breeds are
adapted extremely well to the cold:
* Dogs that are great in the cold include Alaskan malamutes,
Siberian huskies and chow chows.[1]
* Dogs that find it harder include Dobermans, toy dogs, low hair or
hairless dogs, and greyhounds. Any shaven or excessively clipped
dog will fall into this category as well because the thick winter
coat is a dog's insulation.
Provide appropriate shelter. It is optimal if
your dog can remain indoors throughout winter,
going outside for exercising only. This will
ensure that your dog doesn't get cold while
you're out or asleep. Young puppies should not
be left outside as they don't have the ability
of older dogs to keep themselves warm outside.
* If you have an outside dog (such as a sled dog), ensure that he
has access to a shelter and bedding inside the shelter. Fresh
straw provides a suitable layer of insulation against the cold of
the ground for an outside shelter;[2] be sure to change it
regularly though.
* An outdoor dog shelter should have a sloped roof, insulation and
heating, especially for very cold climate locations.[3] For rainy
winters, ensure that the entrance way is protected so that rain
cannot get into the shelter.
* Bring all outdoor dogs inside if the cold spell becomes
exceptionally cold and long; even the barn is warmer than an
outdoor dog shelter.
Ensure that the bedding is warm and well
placed. Bedding is an important part of keeping
a dog warm through winter. If your dog sleeps
on the ground or somewhere drafty, place the
bed up off the floor. A custom-made bed with
cushioned insert, blankets, and old clothing
make good, warm bedding.
* For old and arthritic dogs, consider using a headed dog bed.[4]
* Clean and change bedding regularly to reduce fleas, germs, and
mess.
Use canine clothing options for particular dogs
and situations. Canine clothing can help to
keep your dog warm through winter, especially
for small or toy dogs, dogs without long hair
(for example, whippets and greyhounds), and old
or sick dogs.[5] One of the key signs of a cold
dog is shivering, just like humans.[6] Dog
jackets, snuggies, and sweaters can be
purchased or made (knit, sew, crochet, or
quilt) for any sized dog. For wetter winters,
you might like to attach a rainproof layer over
the top but make sure that it is breathable.
* Use booties to protect your dog's paws when
walking on snow and salt. Salt serves as an irritant on dog paws
and snow is very cold. Booties will keep the feet warm and free
from salt irritation. However, unless you've trained your dog to
accept booties from puppyhood, this can be a bit of battle with
some dogs who won't tolerate wearing them. In this case, use
positive reinforcement training – put a bootie on one foot, feed
a treat, then remove it. Repeat daily and gradually increase the
amount of booties until the dog is used to having them put on.[7]
* Read How to choose a good dog sweater for help with a dog sweater.
Groom your dog well. Avoid trimming, shaving or
cutting your dog's hair because a dog's full
weight coat is his source of warmth during
winter. It is important to maintain a good
grooming regime through winter too, as matted
hair is less efficient at keeping out the snow
and cold rain, and does not insulate the dog as
well.[8] Consistent grooming can alleviate
dander problems in dogs living through dry
winters, should this be a problem for your dog.
* Only bathe indoors and make sure your dog is completely dried
before letting him outside.
* Keep the hair around paw pads well trimmed. This will help prevent
ice and snow balling up between footpads.[9] After walks outside,
check paw pads for cracks, cuts, and any foreign debris.
* If your dog won't wear dog booties, be sure to clean off the salt
and snow removal chemicals after every walk; the chemicals can be
toxic and the salt will become an irritant.
Take shorter walks when the weather is severely
cold. Don't try to take your dog on the same
length walks as during warmer weather. A
shorter walk can still accomplish enough
exercise and relief breaks without causing your
dog (and you) to become too cold.
* Keep exercising up despite not spending as much time outdoors.
Play indoor games with your dog, such as fetch, tug-of-war, hiding
toys, and if it's possible to let them run around inside, then do
so.
* Always keep your dog on a leash when walking in winter. If
something happens, such as a snowstorm, the sudden appearance of
an ice plow, or your dog rushes out onto an ice lake and falls in,
you won't be able to help or retrieve your bolting or falling dog.
Avoid overfeeding your dog. While it is
important to eat regularly and well during
colder months, in order to keep up energy and
warmth, with an indoor dog there is no need to
increase the food amounts. Doing so can risk
creating an overweight dog.
* More food for a dog is only justifiable for dogs living outdoors
all of the time and for dogs who are especially active during the
winter months. Talk to your vet about your dog's particular energy
needs.
* Be sure that your dog has constant access to clean, unfrozen
water, indoors and outdoors. Heated bowls can be purchased for use
outside.
* Read How to help your dog lose weight if you think your dog might
be overweight.
Guard against canine winter illnesses. As with
humans, dogs can fall ill during the colder
months especially when cold or as a result of
winter conditions, with respiratory infections
in damp climates, frostbite, and consumption of
toxic substances being some of the principal
concerns.
* Keep your dog dry and warm. This will help to guard against
respiratory infections, such as kennel cough (the human equivalent
of a cold). If your dog gets a respiratory infection, seek
veterinary attention immediately.
* Frostbite can be a problem for some dogs, especially hairless
varieties. Check the ear tips and tail tips in particular – if
they look and feel cold, appear white, red or gray, and/or are dry
and hard, then frostbite may have occurred.[10][11] If you suspect
frostbite, wrap your dog's extremities in blankets or towels to
warm them gradually and see the vet immediately.[12]
* Keep winter-time toxic items away from dogs. Anti-freeze tastes
sweet to dogs and they will lick it if they can access it, with
only four teaspoons worth needed to kill a dog under 10
pounds.[13] If your dog does ingest it, see a vet immediately as
treatment needs to be given within hours to save your dog's life.
Another toxic problem during winter is rat bait, used in greater
amounts due to everyone living in close proximity over winter.
Keep all toxic items well out of the reach of dogs and other pets
and clean up any spills immediately (lock pets away while you
attend to it).
* Your dog's arthritis and osteoarthritis can be exacerbated by cold
weather. Talk to your vet about medication, treatment options, and
ways to keep your arthritic dog fit and warm through winter.
!! Video !!
!! Tips !!
* Keep all outside visits short during very cold temperatures. If
you have a dog door, or a way for your dog to come in from the
cold, it is still important to monitor the time your dog spends
outside in case he is overstaying playtime in the cold.
* If you feel cold, chances are so does your dog.
* A hot water bottle can be tucked under a dog's bed to warm it up
quickly.
* Keep dogs away from snow clearing operations when outdoors; they
can easily get caught up in machinery unawares.
!! Warnings !!
* Never leave your dog outside for a long time in freezing
temperatures.
* Never leave a dog inside a cold car. When the heater is off and
the temperatures drop rapidly, it's like sitting in a freezer, and
the air doesn't circulate but stays very cold.
* If your dog does fall into an icy lake or river, call for help. Do
not endanger your own life trying to rescue a dog.[14]
* Never keep an indoor dog outdoors suddenly during winter. Dogs
need time to acclimatize to temperature changes. If you want to
house an indoor dog outside over winter, start acclimatizing him
in autumn so that he gets used to the temperature changes and his
coat responds by growing thicker.
!! Things You\'ll Need !!
* Bedding
* Heating, hot water bottle
* Suitable outdoor shelter for outdoor dogs
* Straw (fresh and clean, changed regularly)
* Dog coat, jacket, sweater or snugglie
* Dog booties
* Leash for walks
* Heated water bowl for outside
* Heated pad for bed
!! Related WikiHows !!
* How to Administer a Vaccine to a Dog
* How to Walk a Dog
* How to Choose Healthy Dog Food
* How to Treat Kennel Cough
* How to Play with Your Dog
!! Sources And Citations !!
!! Article Tools !!
* Read on wikiHow
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