Other than keeping yourself from freezing during winter, you also need to help your dog stay warm during this season. Maybe your dog is the short-coated kind, or maybe you let her sleep outside the house -- so you may find these tips on dog care useful to keep your pet warm during the cold winter season.
For small, short-haired, or thin-skinned breeds, what you can do is buy your dog a nice and snug jacket to help her preserve the heat inside her body. Even on cold autumn days, you may want to consider getting her a sweater to keep her warm. Just remember that as the weather gets colder, the thicker and warmer the garment you have to buy for your dog. Also, you have to choose one that is easy to put on your dog. Something simple would be better than getting those flashy ones with a lot of buttons, zippers or adornments which your dog would be too impatient to keep still while you put it on her.
Some dogs may be uncomfortable having clothes on, while others love being dressed up. Well, lucky for you, if your pet is of the latter type; but if your dog isn’t used to wearing clothes, you have to take your time to help your dog get used to it. You can put a jacket or a shirt on her for short periods at a time and make sure you are there to watch over her -- just in case she tries to take it off and destroys it. Don’t forget to give her treats every time she does her time to make her feel that wearing clothes is good and that she’ll love to wear them all the time.
In choosing the right clothing for your dog, you have to get one that’s durable and easy to wash. It’s good to get one that is fashionable, but what’s more important is to consider the kind of material that will really keep your dog warm. Getting one that’s water resistant will also be helpful if you live at a place where it snows and where your dog will -- potentially -- get wet.
You should also remember to know your dog’s measurements to avoid buying one that is too tight or too loose. Here’s how you get the measurements: first, measure your dog from the base of her neck to the root of her tail. This gives you an idea of how long your dog’s body is. Next, you should measure her neck circumference to get the right collar that will fit her comfortably. You may also consider weighing her so that you can estimate how much she’ll weigh in a year or so. This way, you can buy clothes that your dog can use for a long time.
Aside from a good jacket, if you live in a place where it snows, you may want to get your dog some boots. These can protect she from cold snowy grounds, as well as salt that can be harmful to your pet’s health. This will also be beneficial if your dog is old and if she walks around a lot. If your dog doesn’t have boots, you have to check her paws every day for snow, ice or salt that could accumulate there and make your dog’s pads cracked, dry or irritated.
If your dog stays outdoors even during winter time, you have to get her a good and warm shelter as well. You can purchase them from pet stores and even online. You don’t have to buy those very expensive ones, just make sure that it will keep your dog from elements such as rain and snow. Get a dog house that is not too large that cold air could enter and circulate inside, making all the warmth go out. Buy the right one where your dog can enter, stand and lie down in without any trouble, and above everything else, keep her warm during the winter. You may also want to provide blankets or a bed of straw for your dog inside her house to protect her from the cold ground. Remember to change it frequently also because it may already be too wet or too cold causing your dog to get sick.
If you would want to use electric heating devices for your dog’s shelter, it would be advisable to leave this to a professional. Don’t install heaters or heating pads on your own because these may have wires or cords that she may chew on and get electrocuted or may cause fires at your place. There are heated beds that you may want to check out at your local pet store. These have discs in them that you could heat in a microwave. Follow the manufacturer’s instructions carefully to be able to use it safely.
One good thing to know is that your dog’s coat contains natural oils that help her keep warm during cold weather. Thus, you should keep her hair neat and combed at all times. Keep it free from burrs and mats, as well. You must also remember to trim the hair between her paw pads because these could be good sites where ice and snow can accumulate. Doing these would help your dog cope through the cold winter and help her store heat within her body.
If you have other concerns regarding your dog’s needs during winter, such as the right food to give, it would be best to ask your veterinarian about it. Other needs include giving or providing fresh, clean water to your dog several times a day because the water you gave her a while ago may already be frozen. Don’t depend on the melted ice or snow for your dog to drink because it could be unsafe for her. She may also need an extra amount of food in her doggy bowl.
We don’t want our beloved dog to freeze over the winter season, so these are just some of the tips to help her stay warm and dry. For more tips and tricks on dog care for the winter or any other season, don’t hesitate to ask your vet; regular visits to your vet will help keep your dog healthy and happy.
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