how to keep your dog safe in the winterWinter´s freezing temperatures, bitter winds and ice can be dangerous for your dog. Follow these simple tips to keep your dog happy, healthy and safe. .Difficulty: EasyInstructions.1Let your dog outside for only short amounts of time. Although he might love jumping and playing in the snow, dogs, like humans, are susceptible to frostbite. 2Make sure there is not snow or ice stuck between the pads of your dog´s paws when she comes inside. Your dog´s ears and tail are also among the most common places for frostbite. 3Clean your dog´s paws when you return from a walk because salt and other substances used to melt ice can be harmful to his health. 4Cut your walks short in the winter, particularly in the wind, which can dry out the eyes, nose and skin of you and your dog. 5Make sure your dog has a secure, wind-proof shelter if you must keep him outside. Blankets or even straw can help keep your pet warm, but bring your dog inside on nights when it is very cold to prevent hypothermia. Most cities have laws that require adequate protection and warmth for your dog. 6Purchase a heater bowl if you keep your dog outside so she has fresh water that is not frozen. .. From the topic: Comments Post a comment in this discussion: 01 Dec 2010 20:28 Good advice Claire. My affy used to love his walks in all weather. Because of the amount and special type of fur, I tried to keep him as dry as possible in the cold and wet. It was hard to get proper fitting coats for him, I had to have them made by a dressmaker! If his fur got wet it would go crimpled and fizzy and need washing and blowing drying back to sleekness (an evenings work). Also any water on the feet would soak up the legs and get on his chest and tummy. Any snowy or wet walks were always followed by a leg and belly wash and dry! Followed by a quick floor mop, and wash over everywhere, if he had managed to get a sneaky shake in! If anyone has an afghan they will understand! I did try putting a Queen type of headscarf on him once, knotted under the chin! The silly dog didn´t mind, but it looked toooooo ridiculous to venture out like it. He didn´t mind a bit of moisturizer rubbed in his nose either. Thanks 30 Nov 2010 14:24 You can water down conditioner and squirt it on the fur between their toes before going out, it helps stop the ice sticking to the hair. 29 Nov 2010 22:12 All useful info Claire. Millie is susceptible to snowball formation between her toes and her feathers. I had not thought about the salt on the roads (and our pavements today) so I suppose I should give her paws a rinse through when we return from our walks. I shall do that in future. Today I´ve ordered Millie a new bed which has thermal properties and I´ve also ordered her a set of wheels for her crate (I´m not thinking of taking her for a ride in it, I just want to get it off the ground). 29 Nov 2010 20:44 Try not to walk your dog where roads have been salted, as it irritates their feet |