Winter Care Tips For Dogs
During the winter, your pup may need some extra care to deal with potentially harsh conditions that can affect their paws, coat and overall comfort. Depending on where you are located, winter conditions may vary from mild to severe, so the tips we have listed may pertain to some dogs but not to all of them, so feel free to pick and choose which tips work best for you!
Keep your dog's coat clean and dry, and brush your dog regularly to remove shedding fur and debris.
Consider using conditioner when you bathe your dog to maintain their skin’s moisture during the dry winter months.
Talk to your groomer about moisturizing products that you can use for your dog during the winter in between baths such as conditioning sprays. Conditioning spray can also be great for soothing itchy skin and detangling long or curly coats.
Provide a warm, draft-free place for your dog to sleep. For dogs that are outdoors for extended periods of time, make sure that they have somewhere to go to warm up.
If your dog is short haired, consider putting a sweater or coat on them to help them keep warm while outside.
Walk your dog outside during the warmest part of the day.
Keep your dog's paws clean and dry after going outside–make sure to clean off all moisture and salt that has accumulated on their paws. Salt can be very irritating to dogs’ feet and can lead to dryness, cracking and even chemical burns. Other ways to help keep their paws safe and comfortable are through applying paw balm, putting boots or booties on their feet, and keeping their paw pads trimmed so they do not trap salt and snow.
Dogs can get frostbite if they are outside in harsh conditions for too long. This can present as pale, blue, gray or black skin that may be brittle or shriveled. Frostbite is painful and can also cause swelling and blisters. If you think your dog may have frostbite, it is imperative to get them warm and seek veterinary care.
Avoid walking your dog on icy or salted surfaces. You can buy dog boots or booties to help make walks easier on paws during the winter.
Provide your dog with warm water when they are cold.
Keep an eye on your dog for signs that your dog is cold such as shivering, tucking their tail in, curling up near warm spots, cold ears, appearing lethargic or anxious, or seeking out shelter while they are outside.
Feed your dog a high-quality diet and consider that they may need more calories if they spend a lot of time outside.
Take your dog to the vet for regular checkups (a year round necessity).
Please share any tips that you have found to be useful for your dog in the comments, and we hope that these tips will help to keep your dog safe during the frigid winter months!