Sarah-Jane White As we reach the cold winter months, you may wonder how to keep your dog safe and healthy all year round. With a chilly season heading our way, here are a few things to consider if you are a dog parent who wants some advice on winter care.
Take care on walks
When it comes to exercising your dog and taking them outside, there are a few things to be aware of. Firstly, be sure to wrap your dog up on walks, especially if you have a fine-coated dog such as a Staffy or Greyhound. These dogs will be much more likely to feel the cold and could get ill from exposure so buying a dog coat for winter is essential to keep them healthy and cosy. Even if you dress your dog in a coat covering the neck, back and belly, it won’t protect them from frostbite on their ears, feet or tail so if your dog is short-haired you should limit their outdoor time to avoid any health problems arising.
When mornings and evenings are much darker in winter, making your dog visible is incredibly important. You should attach a small light or purchase a reflective collar so that cars and people can see your dog while you are walking. While walking, you should always avoid frozen lakes and rivers as you can never tell how secure the surface is or how deep the water is. If you feel your dog will be tempted to jump in, keep them on the lead to avoid accidents.
Adjust their food
During winter your dog’s activity levels may change and you should adjust their food intake accordingly. Some dogs will hate the cold weather and use less energy, whereas others will relish the snowy outdoors and want to play outside all day so may need more food than usual to keep their energy up.
There are also plenty of ways for you to make your furry friend’s mealtimes fun which can be particularly useful for those pets who don’t like going outside in the cold. Placing their kibble in an interactive toy like a treat ball or Kong can keep them mentally stimulated and help tire them out. It is good for activity levels and reduces boredom, meaning that your favourite pair of shoes are less likely to get chewed!
Reduce baths
While for humans a hot bath and moisturiser is a great way to get our skin feeling soft again, the same cannot be said for dogs. Baths tend to dry out your dog’s skin which can cause discomfort and itching. You shouldn’t cut out baths altogether during winter as some dogs will have allergies (or get quite smelly!) but you should reduce the frequency of bath time and look for an extra moisturising shampoo when you give them a wash to ensure that their skin stays healthy.
You may also look to add skin and coat supplements to your pooch’s food to help keep them moisturised. Coconut oil is a good option for a natural moisturiser to add to food but can also be applied to cracked skin on the paws, ears and tail.
No matter what you and your furry friend get up to this winter, be sure to wrap up warm and have fun!
