Although our weather has been getting stranger year by year, we can be sure that with the beginning of December, cold, snow, and frost will also arrive. This somewhat complicates our lives, but the weather affects not only us; our pets also feel the winter, with all its joys and difficulties. Fresh snow tempts most dog owners outdoors to sled, have snowball fights, and of course, our dogs join us at this time.
Among the difficulties of winter, low temperatures pose the greatest danger to our dogs. When discussing this issue, we must definitely distinguish between dogs kept indoors and those kept in the garden. Outdoor dogs, if they have a proper place, can adapt to the increasingly lower temperatures by growing a thicker, denser coat and accumulating a thicker layer of fat under the skin to protect against the cold. Dogs kept indoors, however, adapt to the indoor warmth. When they go outside, the cold puts a greater strain on their bodies.
Most dogs in good health, well-fed, and with thick fur tolerate the cold well, especially if they get enough exercise. However, older, very skinny, or sick animals have a harder time adapting to the low temperature, so it may be better to put winter clothes on them. It is important that the clothing is the right size, made of material that does not absorb water and keeps warm, and that it does not have protruding parts that could get caught on something or hinder the dog's movement.
Dog boots can also be a useful accessory if we want to protect our dog’s paws from salty slush and ice. They can also be very useful when walking or hiking in places where sharp ice can pose a risk of injury or where roads are heavily salted. We can also do a lot to prevent paw damage with high-quality paw protection creams. After returning from walks, wipe the paws thoroughly with lukewarm, clean water to prevent erosion caused by salt.
If our dog needs surgery in winter or has a wound for any other reason, the cold and snow hinder healing. The injured area must be protected; freshly formed scar tissue is sensitive, freezes more easily, and is less resistant.
We must also pay proper attention to outdoor dogs; if they do not have a proper doghouse or shelter, they can catch a cold or get chilled. A well-insulated, waterproof, windproof doghouse located in a proper place is essential, and we must also pay attention to its placement because if the dog cannot see important places from it (for example, gate, fence, entrance), it will not use it. Our dog’s coat must also stay dry to insulate properly against the cold. In cold weather, the dog’s water easily freezes, especially when temperatures drop below zero, so change the water in their bowl several times a day.
It is good to adjust the diet of outdoor dogs to the changed conditions, making it richer in energy by increasing carbohydrate content or switching to a higher energy food. We can even increase the number of feedings.
Most dogs happily run after thrown snowballs and catch them or simply bite at the snow. Pay attention to this as well because eating snow often causes throat inflammation. Moreover, not only can their throat get cold, but their stomach can also be strained by the snow. With throat inflammation, the dog may have a fever, have difficulty swallowing, cough, seem off appetite, or gag. With stomach inflammation, the dog may vomit several times a day, sometimes with blood.
During this period, bitches especially have the problem that they can easily catch a cold or get bladder infections. The most typical symptom of the disease is frequent urination (with bloody urine in severe cases), and pain may also occur. The disease can appear after prolonged periods in snow and lying on cold ground, but the abdomen of small, low dogs is in contact with the snow throughout a usual walk. The situation is made more difficult by the fact that most dog clothes do not keep our pets’ bellies warm.
With proper attention, we can ensure that we only enjoy the pleasures of winter and spend many happy moments with our pets outdoors, playing together healthily.
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