Winter Safety Tips for Your Fur-Baby
Hello and how are you? Staying warm I hope.
I live around the Charlotte area of North Carolina and we saw a light dusting of snow this past weekend and the tempertures were frigid (well, frigid by my standards). I’m sure my friends up north would laugh at me…????
My long-haired German Shepherd is such a big baby because she also hates being cold and wet. She will go outside long enough to take care of her potty business and then she wants to come right back in the house.
Some breeds, such as Siberian Huskies, are built for enduring cold and wet conditions; but that doesn’t mean they should just be left to the elements. As pet parents, during the harsh winter months, we should always be aware of the temperture and weather conditions. Especially if we leave our pets outside on a regular basis.
Be aware of exactly how cold it is, including the wind chill factor. Check this every day. A doghouse is good to have but may not protect from frostbite to the extremities. Be sure to bring your pet in out of the cold; especially if the temperture dips below 32 degrees. Bringing the pets in the house is the ideal option but if that is not possible, at the very least, provide a warm bed in a garage or some other enclosed structure. Make sure the pet is not lying on a cold floor or ground and provide several warm blankets.
Another misconception is that snow is a substitute for fresh water. Make sure that your pet always has fresh water available to drink, regardless of the weather conditions.
Fur can provide a measure of warmth for your pet, but fur that is long can also pick up clumps of snow and ice, making it uncomfortable for them. Trim the areas around the paws to keep this from happening. Dogs with short hair don’t get the same level of warmth as dogs with long hair. Buy them doggie sweaters or knit one yourself. They will keep your dog warm and make them look even more adorable.
Many areas salt icy streets to provide traction. This salt or deicer can be painful to dogs, especially if the salt gets into cracks in their paws. By rubbing a thin film of petroleum jelly on the bottom of their paws, it will lessen the amount of salt that sticks to them. When you get back home, be sure to clean their feet. This will also keep them from dragging debris into the house.
Damp fur can be uncomfortable for your pet. When coming back from a walk in rainy or snowy conditions, be sure to dry them off, preferably with a blow dryer. My German Shepherd, Poppy, loves the warm heat from the dryer. Older pets with achy joints may also get some comfort from lying on a heating pad for a little while. Just make sure you don’t let them stay on it too long to prevent burns. I usually only let my dog lie on the heating pad for 30 minute stretches at a time.
You can use this handy chart as a quick reference for winter safety tips:
Our pets are much like children. Some love to play outside in the snowy, cold and wet conditions. But just like with children, it is our responsibility to ensure they are kept warm and safe. Let them play and have some fun but monitor the conditions and bring them inside regularly to warm up and especially if the temperture begins dropping.
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I think that’s it for now. Stay safe and warm! And if you have any winter safety tips, please share. I would love to learn some more.
’til next time,
