Winter is a wonderful time, especially when there’s snow to see. Dogs can get really excited during this weather. It’s very cute to see them running through the snow, but is it smart to let a dog do this? What is a good way to keep a dog warm and comfortable during the colder months?
Don’ts
Let’s first talk about the things that aren’t smart to do or recommended someone does with their dog this winter. First up is hair trimming. Bigger dogs that move enough and have little bit more meat on the bone, tend to deal with the cold quite well. Their coats are biologically designed to resist the cod of winter. Trimming this coat means a greater chance that dog the will be cold unnecessarily.
The second don’t is to let a dog play on ice. It also isn’t advisable to let any dog play a lot in the snow. Playing on ice can be potentially dangerous for a dog. The creature can slip and slide, which might cause injuries. Besides this, it is more commonly known that ice can get thin at places. Should a dog fall into the cold water, it might even be fatal. Letting a dog play in snow for a longer time isn’t just cold for their paws. Bits of snow and ice could get stuck in their paws, which could cause micro-cuts. These cuts could get infected and are very painful for dogs. If a dog really likes playing in the snow, make sure that their paws are clean and that there is no ice residue. The warmth of human fingers is usually enough to get rid of these lumps.
Do’s
And what about the dos! Do put some dog socks and shoes on a dog. Dog shoes help to protect a dogs’ paws from extreme weather, such as the cold in winter, and prevents injuries. Dog socks help to keep the warmth and will make putting the shoes on easier. Besides this, dog socks are also could protect and prevent dirt and moisture from messing up a dogs’ paws. Dog socks and shoes are available in multiple sizes. If a dog is properly trained to wear the garments, usually done with treats, they won’t mind one bit. It can be safer in the winter times for a do to wear dog socks and shoes than have naked paws.
Earlier, dog coats have been mentioned already. Bigger, busier dogs don’t need a coat. Smaller, thinner dogs might need some extra protection from the cold when they go out. This is especially true for older dogs, that don’t always have the proper energy to keep themselves warm and moving. When a dog is shaking, that’s a good sign that their body is struggling to maintain a proper temperature. A nice coat will be very welcomed.