Dog Tips for Winter

Indoor Tips

• Move your dog's bed out of drafty areas of your home. Place a blanket on the dog bed for extra warmth and coverage for your dog.

  Fill the water bowl on a regular basis. Once the winter heat turns on, indoor air turn dry and can cause dehydration.

  Enjoy indoor fires but keep your dog's safety in mind and place a fireguard around the fireplace to prevent accidents.

  Do not let your dog near portable heaters. Dogs may accidentally tip over a heater causing a fire in the home. Heaters may also burn your dog.

  Keep your dog's regular grooming schedule. Excess fur can easily become matted and knotted in the snow. Do not shave your dog in the winter.

Outdoor Tips

• Provide your dog with adequate shelter if he will be spending any time outside. The shelter should be insulated. Line the shelter with clean bedding or blankets. Do not allow the bedding to become damp or dirty.

  Minimize time spent outdoors on the really cold days. Dogs can experience frostbite.

  Place water in a heated water bowl to prevent the water from freezing.

  Bring your dog indoors if the temperature drops below freezing.

  Watch your dog for signs that he is cold. He may shiver, whine and refuse to go outdoors.

  Provide him with a sweater or coat if he seems cold.

  Keep older dogs and very young puppies inside as much as possible.

  Keep an old towel by the door and dry off your dog if he has become wet in the snow.

  Anti-freeze is very poisonous to dogs. They are attracted to its sweet taste. Do not let them drink from puddles or eat snow as it may be contaminated.

  Stay away from frozen lakes, ponds and rivers. A nice walk can quickly become a disaster if your dog falls through the ice.

  Snow can mask a dog's sense of smell and his sense of direction. Your dog should be wearing appropriate identification and be kept on a leash as much as possible.

  If your dog is getting less exercise because of inclement weather, cut down on the amount of his food. On the other hand, if your dog runs like crazy in the snow and is not slowing down, consider adding to his diet to help support the extra energy he is expending.

Feet

• Wipe off their paws when entering the house. This will prevent them from tracking in road salt and chemicals.

  Protect your dog's paws from ice and snow with specially designed dog boots or foot wax. Dogs with hairy feet may find themselves with ice balls building up in between their toes. Salt used to melt ice can hurt a dog's feet and will make them ill if ingested as they lick their paws. There are often dangerous items hidden in the snow which can injure a dog's foot.

  Trim the fur in between your dog's foot pads. This will make it more difficult for ice balls to form.

  Ice and snow can cause cracks to your dog's foot pads. Check his feet when he comes in from an afternoon in the snow. As he plays, watch the snow for any drops of blood.