Post by muskyhusky on Oct 17, 2008 14:53:02 GMT -6
Winter weather brings an extra challenge for pets and their owners. Your pooch can't break out snow boots, don a sweater, or add a warm, comfy blanket to his bed at night, so he needs some help from you. When you begin winter preparations, be sure your pet's safety and comfort are high on your list. Here are a few ideas to keep your favorite canine from freezing when Old Man Winter does his worst.
Indoor dogs often lack the opportunity to acclimate to climate changes. "If you're bundling up to take your dog out, you should do the same for him," says Kathy Edwards, who works for a Virginia-based veterinarian and owns six indoor dogs. A warm sweater or coat is highly recommended for short or thin-haired dogs, such as the Chinese Crescent, Schnauzer, Scottie, Yorkie, and thingyer Spaniel, and is a good idea for any dog who shivers when the weather's cold.
There's also the dreaded cold-weather potty problem: just as owners hate braving the cold to take pets out for their regular constitutional, many indoor dogs hate the ritual too. Your dog may feel it is more convenient and comfortable to use the floor or carpet, but you can curb this with a regular outdoor comfort station schedule -- first thing in the morning, twice during the day, and last thing at night. This regularity will help train your dog's bodily functions and alleviate having to rely on his own good judgment, or lack thereof.
If your dog is allowed both indoors and outdoors, consider installing a pet door with draft protection. A "double door" forces the outer door to close before the inner door opens, thus trapping cold air before it enters the house.
Pampered Paws & Pads
Dog boots are a perfect way to help protect and insulate paws from the harmful effects of snow, ice and salt. Many pet owners think snow is a paw's worst enemy, but the real culprit is the salt used on icy roads and sidewalks. Salt can cause a dog's pads to become dry, cracked, and painfully sore. Dogs also tend to get ice stuck between their toes, which can cause significant discomfort and possible frostbite.
If you haven't bought dog booties yet, be sure to wash your dog's toes and pads in warm water and dry them thoroughly after he's been romping outside. If your dog does develop dry, cracked or painfully sore paws, have his vet take a look since this may indicate the first stages of frostbite. To help prevent this, use a trimmer or clipper to keep his nails and the hair between his toes and pads short and even with the bottom of the foot.
Dodging the Draft
Doghouses defy the conventional wisdom that "bigger is better." But quite to the contrary, a smaller doghouse helps trap body heat and maintain warmth. The house only needs to be big enough to allow your pet to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably.
Help keep the doghouse warm by:
Positioning it in the yard where it will receive the most sunlight.
Placing it behind a structure or barrier to protect it from wind.
Elevating it on a low platform to keep it off the frozen ground.
Utilizing a door or heavy flap of material over the entrance to keep cold air out.
Covering the dog house with some sort of waterproof insulation, a blanket covered with a plastic painting tarp will do the trick.
While blankets work well inside heated homes, inside the dog house they tend to trap moisture and can feel damp and chilly. Cedar shavings, straw, or hay spread across the floor of your dog's house provide better insulation.
Dogs are particularly vulnerable to dehydration, especially in winter, so you must take steps to keep the water dish from freezing. Deep and/or dark colored, plastic dishes do not tend to freeze as fast as shallow and/or light-colored metal dishes.
Just a few simple preparations such as these will help you and your dog enjoy a happier, healthier, and safer winter season.
Indoor dogs often lack the opportunity to acclimate to climate changes. "If you're bundling up to take your dog out, you should do the same for him," says Kathy Edwards, who works for a Virginia-based veterinarian and owns six indoor dogs. A warm sweater or coat is highly recommended for short or thin-haired dogs, such as the Chinese Crescent, Schnauzer, Scottie, Yorkie, and thingyer Spaniel, and is a good idea for any dog who shivers when the weather's cold.
There's also the dreaded cold-weather potty problem: just as owners hate braving the cold to take pets out for their regular constitutional, many indoor dogs hate the ritual too. Your dog may feel it is more convenient and comfortable to use the floor or carpet, but you can curb this with a regular outdoor comfort station schedule -- first thing in the morning, twice during the day, and last thing at night. This regularity will help train your dog's bodily functions and alleviate having to rely on his own good judgment, or lack thereof.
If your dog is allowed both indoors and outdoors, consider installing a pet door with draft protection. A "double door" forces the outer door to close before the inner door opens, thus trapping cold air before it enters the house.
Pampered Paws & Pads
Dog boots are a perfect way to help protect and insulate paws from the harmful effects of snow, ice and salt. Many pet owners think snow is a paw's worst enemy, but the real culprit is the salt used on icy roads and sidewalks. Salt can cause a dog's pads to become dry, cracked, and painfully sore. Dogs also tend to get ice stuck between their toes, which can cause significant discomfort and possible frostbite.
If you haven't bought dog booties yet, be sure to wash your dog's toes and pads in warm water and dry them thoroughly after he's been romping outside. If your dog does develop dry, cracked or painfully sore paws, have his vet take a look since this may indicate the first stages of frostbite. To help prevent this, use a trimmer or clipper to keep his nails and the hair between his toes and pads short and even with the bottom of the foot.
Dodging the Draft
Doghouses defy the conventional wisdom that "bigger is better." But quite to the contrary, a smaller doghouse helps trap body heat and maintain warmth. The house only needs to be big enough to allow your pet to stand up, turn around, and lie down comfortably.
Help keep the doghouse warm by:
Positioning it in the yard where it will receive the most sunlight.
Placing it behind a structure or barrier to protect it from wind.
Elevating it on a low platform to keep it off the frozen ground.
Utilizing a door or heavy flap of material over the entrance to keep cold air out.
Covering the dog house with some sort of waterproof insulation, a blanket covered with a plastic painting tarp will do the trick.
While blankets work well inside heated homes, inside the dog house they tend to trap moisture and can feel damp and chilly. Cedar shavings, straw, or hay spread across the floor of your dog's house provide better insulation.
Dogs are particularly vulnerable to dehydration, especially in winter, so you must take steps to keep the water dish from freezing. Deep and/or dark colored, plastic dishes do not tend to freeze as fast as shallow and/or light-colored metal dishes.
Just a few simple preparations such as these will help you and your dog enjoy a happier, healthier, and safer winter season.