On the Walk – Protect your pooches feet and fur

• Coats are good if they protect the underbelly and repel water
• Try sweaters that stay warm when wet. Polar fleece and wool are good.
• Most dogs resist booties, but if your dog will comply, they are a great idea!
• Puppies, and older or health-challenged dogs should only be taken out for bio-breaks.
• Clip fur out from between toes to prevent the build up of painful ice crystals.
• Do not let your dog drink from puddles, even after a rain.
• Carry water when you can. Low humidity and the extra energy it takes to combat cold can cause dehydration.
• Practice close-leash techniques to keep you both safe from slips and injuries.

More great tips after the jump…

This poor fellow doesn't seem to be enjoying the snow

After the Walk – Wipe, wash and watch

• ALWAYS wipe or wash feet and belly after a winter walk. Lime rock salt and other snow melt products, grit, and antifreeze can cause diarrhea and vomiting when licked off paws and fur.
• Use old towels, specialty products and/or warm water. A very soft brush is also good for cleaning grit from between toes and off muddy skin.
• Check paws every day. Sharp ice, and frozen surfaces can cut pads. Keep pad wounds as clean as possible and limit outside time until the wound heals.

At the Food Bowl

• Provide a small increase in high quality calories for very active dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors.
• On the other hand, cut back on calories/treats for overweight dogs who do NOT enjoy romping in the cold.
• If your dog suffers from dry skin due to heating and low humidity, consider omega 3 & 6 fatty acid supplements.

Around the House

• Screen fireplaces and put portable heaters out of reach to prevent accidental burns and dry skin.
• The dryness in our homes can make animals more susceptible to problems such as upper respiratory infections, dandruff, dry noses, itchy skin, hair texture changes, dry throats and more.
• Continue regular grooming and home-brushing, especially for long-haired dogs, to prevent matting, which will necessitate a ‘shave down’ in spring.
• Consider using a humidifier. Try a model that both steams and purifies the air.
• Encourage neighbors to use Safe Paw ice melter. It is 100% salt free AND protects paving.

Tags: cold, grooming, winter
Categories: Cold weather, Health, Safety, Uncategorized

This entry was posted on Tuesday, February 9th, 2010 at 2:01 am and is filed under Cold weather, Health, Safety, Uncategorized. You can follow any responses to this entry through the RSS 2.0 feed. You can leave a response, or trackback from your own site.