With winter fast approaching, have you actually really considered what impact the decreasing temperatures might have on your dog?
1. Beware Of Thin Ice
You’ll often hear stories about dogs skating around on a frozen lake, before suddenly crashing through. And unexpected crackling sound followed by a splash, and then it’s game over.
This is why you have to make sure to keep your dog away from unsafe frozen lakes. And on top of that, there’s also a risk of other injuries for a dog running around on the ice, so that’s another reason to avoid those slippery surfaces altogether.
2. Protect Your Dogs’ Paws
You should always pay close attention to your dogs’ paws, and see if you notice any cracks or injuries through the winter. Sharp rocks and branches hidden in the snow, are more than capable of hurting your pups foot pads.
On top of that, in many areas, they will use salt on the icy roads. So when getting back home from a walk, it’s a good idea to rinse your dogs’ paws. Use a bucket of warm water, and make sure that you clean the area between the footpads and toes.
3. Trim The Hairs On The Dogs’ Paws
If you own a dog with long hair, it would be a good idea to trim the hair growing between the footpads, as snow might get stuck there and end up as annoying snowballs, making it hurt your dog when walking.
4. Minimize Your Dogs’ Outside Time
Dogs are also at risk of frostbites – especially on their ears and the end of the tail. You should pay special attention to your dog’s skin, and if it turns white or blue. That’s why it can bee a good idea to generally minimize the amount of time your dog spends outside, and instead activate it with fun indoor games.
5. Age Matters
When it comes to the cold and the age of your dog, this actually has quite a bit more influence than you might think at first. Very young and older dogs have a hard time regulating their body temperature, which leads to a bit more extreme reactions towards a change in weather.
Some of My Favorite Products For Dog Owners
I hope this article has helped you just a bit in everyday life as a dog owner. Being a dog owner for more than 25 years myself, I’ve tried an abundance of different products with varying success, but these products below are some that I can highly recommend to every dog and their owner without hesitation!
These links are affiliate links, so if you do end up using the links, I will earn a commission. But it’s products that I use daily myself, and I have nothing but praise for.
Dog Food: Every dog needs to eat correctly, and finding the best food for your dog can be hard, as the market is absolutely flooded with products. But since 2015 when the company was founded, I’ve been using Ollie Petfood. With their product being tailor-made to suit every dog’s specific needs, and as my dogs absolutely love the product, I’m pretty sure I’ve found a product I will continue to use for many years more. If you use my link you can get 50% off your first order.
Dog Training: If you’ve ever owned a puppy, you know that they require a lot of training to grow into a well-behaved adult. Brain Training for Dogs has helped me immensely with the mental training part of raising a dog, and it’s something I strongly recommend you consider.
Grooming: If you have a dog in your home, you’re going to need a brush, and for this, I recommend a Hertzko Self-Cleaning Slicker Brush. For that price, you simply can’t beat this brush for everyday grooming.
If you’re looking for the most up-to-date recommendations, check out my recommended products section that I’ve created to help every dog owner!
