SNOW PROOF YOUR DOG
In northern climates throughout the world, dogs live and play outdoors quite comfortably in extreme temperatures. In many parts of the United States, however, dogs are used to living in climate-controlled homes. These dogs lack conditioning to cold weather, and need to be protected and acclimated to the lower temperatures. A good rule of thumb, then, is to be safe: slowly introduce your dog to the cold weather. Then, enjoy!

We humans put on warm clothes to venture into the snow, but most dogs can dispense with added layers. Large breeds and heavily coated dogs usually do just fine in the cold. It is extremely unlikely that these dogs will suffer frostbite or hypothermia on an outdoor jaunt, even in the coldest of weather, especially if you make sure to keep them moving. However, if your pet is a small, fragile breed with little body fat (such as Chihuahuas, Italian greyhounds, whippets, miniature pinschers, and so on), or just a small house dog that shivers in cold weather, I suggest that you purchase a warm winter coat or sweater made just for dogs.

LIVING OUTDOORS:

If you intend to house your dog in an outdoor enclosure in a cold winter area, take some common-sense precautions. If your dog will live outdoors for a period of time, make sure he has access to a shelter that is wind-free and dry. Use wood chips or straw for insulation in the enclosure. They’ll keep your dog much warmer and dryer than rugs or mats.

FROSTBITE: Some people worry that their dogs will get frostbite from running around in bare feet in the snow. Fortunately, dogs have remarkable collateral circulation in their legs and toes, which makes frostbite of these body parts rare. However, dogs can suffer from frostbite elsewhere, especially in the genital areas. If these areas are reddened, thickened, and not pliable to the touch, this is an emergency. Call a veterinarian immediately.

HYPOTHERMIA: Most dogs are quite resistant to hypothermia except under extreme cold conditions seen in the very northern United States, and in Canada and Alaska. Certain breeds of dogs, however, have coat textures that tend to cause snow to stick to their coat. These “snow balls” can melt next to their skin and significantly lower their body temperature. Inspect your dog’s coat from time to time to make sure this isn’t a problem.

SALT: Many people wonder if the salt dumped on urban streets to melt snow is a problem for dogs. In theory, high salt concentrations can cause irritation between a dog’s toes, and licking and swallowing a lot of salt can promote some gastrointestinal distress. Washing your dog’s feet after a walk should take care of most of the problem. If you have a lot of salt in your area, you may want to consider purchasing “booties.” However, it has been my observation that the salt is far more damaging to the vegetation than to the dogs!

Think about getting booties for you dog.  These can protect your dog’s feet not only from harsh chemicals, but also from broken glass that might be hidden by snow and ice. 

Here’s a link to a website that sells them: Dog Boots
Chemicals used to melt ice and snow are harmful to your pet.  Don’t let your dog eat the ice and snow in a neighbor’s yard.  You never know what chemicals they could have used to speed up melting.  And, many neighborhood streets are sprayed with chemicals by the highway department.   

If your dog is like mine, he LOVES to catch snowballs.  Roll balls of snow from your own yard or any other source you know doesn’t use chemicals.  Don’t dig down to get a handful, skim off the top.  This will minimize the chance of picking up rocks and sticks that could hurt your dog.  Push the snow together only enough to keep its shape for you to toss.  Packing it down tight might hurt your dog when he catches it.Always check your dog’s paws after playing in snow or ice.   It’s a good idea to wipe your dog’s paws with clean warm water after a walk in the neighborhood.  After your dog has had a good day’s play in the cold, wash and dry them off thoroughly.  Then check the pads of each paw.  Look for swelling.  Nicks and cuts as well as abrasions could cause infections.   If you don’t find anything, watch your pet to see if he licks his paws.  This may be a sign of an injury and the main reason you rinse your dog’s paws off after a walk.  Check him again.  If you find something, clean the wound gently.  For a serious cut, contact your vet or local animal emergency hospital.  Don’t let it fester before seeking help.Once you’ve checked your dog and everything is okay, treat him or her to a nice gentle leg massage.  This will stimulate circulation and keep his paws nice and toasty. Sit beside your dog and take one leg in both hands.  Make slow circular movements with your thumbs as you work down from the top of the leg to the paw.  Use a steady, light pressure.  When you reach the paw, take one finger and slide it between the toes.  If your dog doesn’t like this, then stop.  Otherwise, continue between the toes using only one finger.  Don’t push the toe outward, keep it in its natural line.  Only apply enough pressure for your finger to glide through.As always, offer your pet fresh clean water after any massage.  This helps flush out toxins from the muscles that can be released during massage.

Have a fun, safe, and healthy winter!

Christmas is a fun time of year for dogs and cats, but for our own pets safety we have to remember that they don’t always use the best judgement. Our pets lack in good judgement and our lack of foresight can be dangerous.

By following a few common sense Christmas rules you can keep your pet safe this holiday season.

1. If you know your pet is going to rip into presents while you are gone, make sure you either put your presents out of reach or use wrapping paper with non-toxic dye.
2. If your cat loves to climb, don’t leave them access to the Christmas tree when you are not around. Don’t let your cat climb the Christmas tree. The tree could fall on your cat, or the cat could get tangled up in the lights .
3. Turn off your Christmas lights when you leave the house.
4. Poinsettias are poisonous, don’t leave them around your pets.
5. Chocolate is poisonous to dogs, don’t leave gifts under the tree that contain chocolate. Your dog will sniff them out.
6. If you have a puppy, unplug everything. Do you have candle lights in the windows? Unplug them. Your puppy will chew on the cord, which will give them a giant shock.

Every house hold is different. You better then anyone else knows your pet’s personality. Take a look around your home and access the possible dangers. Chances are you will find many.   The best gift you can give your pet is a safe Christmas.