PhotoYour dog will probably have a coat, and we aren’t near a temperature drop yet. However, it will soon begin to steadily get colder. So here are some tips to look after your dog in colder weather.
Keep Up with Prevention Methods
Your dog will have many problems in summer. These include heatstroke and dehydration. But fleas are also more active in summer. However, just because it’s cold, it doesn’t mean your dog can’t get them in autumn and winter. So it’s vital you keep up prevention methods such as flea control to make it through the colder months relatively hassle-free. Flea collars are very effective all year round, but you can call companies like Thrive Pest Control for major infestations.
Get Some Dog Clothes
During the colder months, horses that are kept outside often wear horse blankets, which are quilted coats that don’t get wet. The same rules apply to dogs. Some deluxe dog coats have designs that can be worn on both sides, and the fabric can be of different thicknesses. So, when it is very cold outside, your dog will be able to wear the warmer side, and when it is just a little bit cold, your dog will be able to wear the side that is more breathable and lighter.
Take Your Dog in Cold Weather when the Sun is Out
If your dog is sensitive to the cold, you should try to take them for walks in the late morning or early afternoon when temperatures are a little warmer. Try not to go in the early morning or late evening when it’s cold. Spending time playing outside when the sun is out is good for your health in other ways. One of these is that you and your pet will both make more vitamin D. If you don’t want your dog to choke or get hurt, you can play fetch with toys instead of frozen sticks.
Cover Up Heaters
During the colder months of the year, dogs often try to stay warm by cuddling up to different heat sources, such as radiators. But they like to get too close and can get burned. Keep your pet away from space heaters, and put covers on your baseboard radiators to keep it from getting burned. Another big danger is fireplaces. So make sure you have a pet-proofing system in place to keep your dog’s sensitive fur from catching fire and causing major accidents.
Beware of Car Leaks
Cold weather brings multiple issues for humans and dogs alike. Of course, your car becomes frozen, and you need to use things like antifreeze. But antifreeze often leaks out of cars, and dogs may want to lick it because it tastes sweet. But your dog can die from even a tiny amount of the main ingredient, ethylene glycol. If you keep your floors clean and dry and stay away from cars parked on the street, you may be able to avoid any spots where antifreeze may leak.
Summary
It’s relatively straightforward to look after your dog in winter. Common sense tells you to keep up with medicated treatments, go for walks when it’s sunny and beware of dangerous substances.
