Winter Weather Dog Care Tips

Cold temps mean a little extra TLC required for your dog. Check out these top tips for keeping your pooch happy and healthy all winter long.

Mealtime Boosts

Does the bitter cold have you reaching for a little extra comfort food? That might not be a bad thing for you or your dog! Regulating body temperature in severe conditions burns more calories than usual. If you have an active dog or dog who spends regular time outside, their body is working harder to keep them at a healthy internal temperature. You may want to boost their caloric intake with a little extra nutrient-rich food during cold winter months. The goal is NOT to increase their weight but maintain it at a healthy level. Resist the urge to overfeed.

It is also recommended you not heat their food as this can cause digestive issues such as upset stomach. Keep your dog’s diet stable, but keep an eye on their weight and adjust accordingly. The extra amount you give them should take their size, age, level of activity, and time exposed to the climate into account. It might also be helpful to spread out their mealtimes to help fuel them throughout the day. For example, if your dog gets fed once a day, you might split that serving into two portions and feed them half in the morning and the other half in the late afternoon. Of course, it is always best to consult your veterinarian before implementing any changes to your dog’s diet.

Strategic Snow Removal

Some dogs love the snow and can’t get enough of jumping or digging in it. What snow-loving dog could resist climbing a great big pile of that mysterious white fluff? Be mindful of where those piles are located. Too close to a fence or gate and your dog might be able to climb their way to an escape route. Also, as snow melts, it can cause soil to erode and wash out, which could leave holes under fences. If you can, pile snow away from anything your dog could jump over/onto or wiggle under.

As temperatures rise and snow starts sliding off things like tree boughs and rooftops, be mindful of where your dog could be. For instance, does your dog have a shelter near a roof line? Prevent the possibility of their getting trapped inside or underneath a heavy pile of snow and ice shards.

Save the Lake for Summer

If you live near or frequent a body of water, it is best to avoid it during cold seasons. It is extremely difficult to determine at a glance if ice is thick enough to bear your dog’s weight in every spot they want to explore. Even running water like streams pose serious dangers such as hypothermia and frostbite. When it comes to water in winter, always err on the side of caution.

Flash Some Light

Winter weather means fewer daylight hours. One way of making sure your dog is easy to find and visible to motorists and pedestrians is fitting them with a reflective or light-up collar. You can find reflective jackets on the market as well. If you are out walking your dog, make sure you too can be easily seen in dark and/or blurry conditions.

Banish Baths, but Brush Often

Banish is too strong a word, but bathing your dog less frequently during cold weather can help protect their skin and prevent moisture from chilling in their fur. Bathing tends to dry skin out, which is exacerbated by cold temperatures. By scheduling their bath times longer apart, they are less likely to develop itchy and flaky patches. Of course, occasional baths are necessary, so be sure to dry them thoroughly afterward and put off outdoor time until they are completely dry. Your veterinarian should be able to recommend shampoos that are more moisturizing than the average to use during inclement weather.

Another way of combatting dry skin is frequent brushing. This helps distribute the protective oils in their coats evenly and make sure there are no knots creating holes in their insulation, so to speak. Brushing also helps to exfoliate away dead skin cells that build up and cause irritation. Double-coated breeds like Collies and Pomeranians whose undercoats protect them from the elements are best brushed daily while most other breeds only need weekly brushing.

Hot Dog

Space heaters and fireplaces can be lifesavers during blustery winter days, but your dog might venture too close. A heater may not be particularly hot, but even snuggling too close to a warm register can cause damage. Be strategic about placing barriers between heat sources and your dog to avoid burns, coat damage, and heat sickness. It also helps to . . .

Build a Nest

Dogs are natural snugglers and enjoy comfy, cozy spots like their human counterparts do. Give your dog a designated spot to warm up and relax. If your dog usually sleeps on hard flooring like tile or laminate that gets extra chilly in winter, especially at night, provide them a pad or blanket to protect them from the cold surface when temperatures drop. The better they rest, the happier and healthier you will all be!