Keep Your Dog Happy and Healthy
Dogs love the warm, summer months when they can frolic and play outside. But our furry friends can have a hard time in the winter when the days are shorter, and the weather is too cold to go out. Luckily, if you have a pet dog, there are some things you can do to keep your dog happy and healthy throughout the entire cold season. Here are some of the best ideas.
Take Walks When the Sun Is Out
If you take your dog for walks as exercise, be sure to walk him during the sunniest parts of the day. By walking in the sun, you can take advantage of the day’s warmest hours. You can also be sure that both you and your pooch are getting some much-needed vitamin D.
Use a Shorter Leash
When you walk your dog during the winter, make sure you use a shorter leash for him than you would during the warmer months. A dog that has a long lead may pull and run, which can cause both you and the dog to slip and fall. To keep your pooch injury-free this winter, try sticking to a 4-foot lead, which allows you more control over where he moves.
Make Sure Bedding Is Warm and Cozy
Just like you, your dog needs to cuddle up and keep warm at night. Don’t make your dog sleep on the floor. Instead, choose a bed that is the right size, and add accessories that can help create more warmth, like blankets, toys, and pillows. Consider getting your dog’s bed up off the cold ground by choosing a raised one, and make sure he doesn’t have to sleep somewhere unheated or drafty.
Cut Down on Shampooing
You want to take care of your dog’s skin in the winter. Like yours, it can become chapped and dry. Try cutting back on how often you shampoo your dog. When you do bathe your pet, be sure to check him for ticks and fleas, which can still be around during the winter months. To prevent him from getting ticks and fleas in the first place, try using NexGard.
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Protect Your Dog’s Feet
If it’s too cold for you to walk outside barefoot, then it’s too cold for your dog. Invest in booties that protect your dog’s feet, and make sure you put them on his feet when you walk in the snow or ice. Booties also prevent snow on sidewalks and streets from getting between your dog’s paw pads, which can cause burning and irritation.
Know That Fleas and Ticks Don’t Only Come During The Summer
Something else to keep in mind during the winter is preventing fleas & ticks from spreading on your dog. Fleas and ticks are capable of surviving in outdoor temperatures as low as the upper 30s. Something to consider is finding an oral flea and tick product for your dog that will help prevent this from happening. If you would like to learn about an easy way to avoid these pesky critters before they can ever appear, find more information here on Nexgard, which is a chewable tablet that can keep the fleas and ticks at bay.
Consider Feeding Your Dog More
Dogs tend to get cold in the winter, and their bodies have to work harder to keep them warm. For that reason, they can burn more calories during this season. To make up for the extra burned calories, consider boosting the amount you feed your dog by a little bit. Consult with your vet first to figure out the perfect amount to feed your pet.
Be Careful With Ice-Melting Materials
Ice-melting products like salt and antifreeze can be extremely harmful, or lethal, to pets. Make sure you keep them far out of reach of your dog. If you have to use an ice-melter on your sidewalk during the winter, be sure you monitor your dog so he does not eat it.
Your dog might not love winter, but if you keep your dog happy and healthy, he can spend the entire season comfortably. By taking a few simple steps, you can ensure that your pup feels good and is strong enough to take the arriving spring and summer by storm.
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“Tips to Keep Your Dog Happy and Healthy in the Winter”
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We need those booties for our Golden Retriever!
I thought it was really interesting that ticks and fleas can survive in colder temperature than I thought. This will be really helpful to watch out for because my collie always seems to find a ton of fleas in the summer. If she does happen to get fleas or ticks I’ll be sure to rush her to the vet.
Hi Jeanne!
Thanks for your reply.
Yes, I agree 🙁 I, myself need exercise too. Maybe someday though, I’d have the time.
As for Nali, the vet says that her stomach is bloating with some sort of fluid. Could be caused by heart or kidney problems. They aren’t sure yet though. When I have her tummy drained, the liquid is like brownish and very watery like, not muddy at all. And it doesn’t have a smell.
The first time I had her drained, they got like 3-4 cups of fluid 🙁 Really scary. I always thought she just ate a lot and was full all the time, then she started groaning whenever I lifted her and that was like the queue for me to get her checked.
How bizarre. At least you know what to do now. All the best to you and Nali. Peace
I love how personal this blog post is. I can relate and learn alot when it comes to taking care of my dog. I have a regular sized maltese and she means the world to me. Her name is Nali and she has a rather bloated stomach all the time! I need to get it drained every other month so that she doesn’t feel any discomfort 🙁 The vet says she needs more exercise and I fail miserably in that aspect. This post does urge me to take walks with her even during the winter but I just can’t find the time. Normally, I have https://www.maddogsdogwalking.com.au/ take her for walks every other day at around 3pm. They let her walk with three other dogs and they play together at parks and beaches. For a busy furparent, this is the best that I can do.
I wish I could do better though, what do you think Jeanne? would this be enough for my little Nali?
I’m glad you’re having someone take Nali for her daily walks. And playing with other dogs? What fun! It’s too bad you don’t have the time to do the same with her yourself. Remember, exercise is good for you too. It’s good for the soul and a wonderful way to bond with your dog. I never heard of a dog’s stomach being drained from bloat? What do they get from the drain? Just curious. Thanks for stopping by! Jeanne
I want to get a German Sheperd puppy this year. I like that you pointed out that I should make sure that I don’t shampoo him too much in the winter time. It does seem like I should talk to a professional groomer about how often I should have him bathed. I wouldn’t want to hurt his skin by doing it too often.
Right. German Shepherd Dogs – ahh, my all-time forever-favorite dog. Thanks for your comment, Penelope.