We take particular precautions when the weather turns cold and the days grow short. We wear coats and boots, and we take gloves and additional layers with us if we think the weather will become even colder. And we do the same for our children when they head off for school. After all, no one wants their child to be cold on the playground, right?
What can we do to similarly care for our pets? They get cold, too, as the weather turns. And winter also brings a range of other specific considerations for your pets. Here’s a look at winter pet health ideas and winter pet safety tips for you to use as the days grow cold.
- Watch the Temperature: It’s always a good idea to keep an eye on what the temperature is going to be on a certain day — not just the highs and lows but also the hour-by-hour temperature. When you know what the temperature is going to do hourly, you can better plan your pet’s walks and bathroom breaks for the warmest, sunniest parts of the day.
Pets can get frostbite and hypothermia, too. You can prevent those conditions by taking advantage of the warmest parts of the day for longer walks. Never leave a dog outside unattended, and consider pet booties for extremely cold weather.
- Food and Drink: Cold weather can lead to dry, itchy skin, both for you and your pets. Ask your vet about adding a supplement to your dog’s food if you notice dry skin. Fish oils and coconut oils can sometimes help keep a dog’s skin healthier and clean through the harsh winter months.
Think about hydration, too. When we think about water and hydration, we tend to think about the hot summer months. But your pet needs plenty of water in winter, too, though it’s not always as apparent. Make sure your pet always has a full water bowl to access, both indoors and outdoors. If you keep a water bowl outside, consider getting a heated one to avoid a frozen water dish.
- Outdoor Safety: Lots of chemicals turn up in wintertime — chemical snowmelt, anti-freeze, etc. Make sure your pet stays as far away from these chemicals as possible.
It’s a good idea to keep your pet on a leash when outdoors in wintertime, too. A leash can prevent them from lapping up snowmelt, and it can also prevent them from wandering onto dangerously frozen ponds, lakes, rivers and other bodies of water. Why dangerous? There’s always a chance that your pet’s weight could break the ice, sending your dog plunging into freezing liquid. But there’s also the chance of your pet slipping on ice and sustaining an injury.
- Don’t Forget to Groom: Grooming is just as essential in winter as it is in the summertime. Your dog’s hair may be longer, which increases the likelihood of tangles. Clean, untangled hair is of the utmost importance because it does the best job of insulating an animal through the coldest months of the year.
Also, always make sure your dog is completely dry before coming in from the outdoors. You can always groom at home when you have the right tools, like the Fido Max 1 dog dryer. But no matter where the winter dog grooming takes place, it’s vital that you do it.
At B-Air©, we offer a wide range of drying solutions for different home tasks — dog grooming included. Cesar Millan recommends the Fido Max 1 dog dryer, and it’s proven to be a tool that pet owners can use to effectively groom their pets at home — creating a stress-free bonding experience for you and your pet.
Get the Fido Max 1 dog dryer for your pet or browse our other pet and animal drying solutions.
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