Another cold and frigid week in the snow for everyone. Thank you all for sharing your fun adventures in the snow with your fur kids! I love to see the cream puffs blending in, whirling around, adults playing like children, romping rolling and running with so much joy for this weather. Fluffy light snow turned warm quickly, which was great for snowmen for the kiddos but also brought the dangers of ice all around us. Out came the salt, de-icers and chemicals on the roads and sheer ice sheets on the sidewalks and yards. Our own dog yard here that was a soup of fluff and fun soon turned slick and dangerous. Up went the balls, sorry pups! Not worth the risk of an injury, pull or break. We slowed to a crawl and I'm sure you all did as well everywhere you went.
So it posed the question...
How to keep our dogs safe in the winter -
Limit your outdoor playtime
If you feel that the weather is too cold for you to be outside for that long, chances are that your dog is also going to feel the chill. Of course, our dogs LOVE the snow and playtime outside is great, but be aware how long these playtimes are especially if it’s below below 32° F. If your fur baby is young or hasn’t gotten their full glory Tonka like dense coat in yet, consider a high-quality coat for those chilly walks in this weather.
I recommend the WheatherBeeta ComFiTec Parka 1200D Deluxe Dog coat from Amazon. This will also help keep them dry which is highly important on these cold days.
Protect their paws Salt, de-icers and other chemicals that are used to melt all this ice and snow can harm your dog’s paws. After coming back from a walk, be sure to wipe off the bottom of your dog’s paws and belly with a warm damp towel to remove any salt or irritants that they may have picked up. Assess their paws for any cuts, blisters or bleeding. If you are an avid walker or hiker in the winter months, consider purchasing dog boots to prevent any possible paw irritation. Ruffwear Dog Booties makes good booties but there are a lot on the market to consider. I also like to protect noses in this dry cold season from drying, cracking and nose discoloration. Adding a paw balm to paw pads and noses keeps them moisturized and healthy. They also provide a barrier to salt and ice when applied before your dog goes outside. I personally use Mushers Secret Paw & nose wax. Running a humidifier in your home also helps with the dryness of these winter months.
Let’s light up your walk
Thankfully we are gaining more light recently in the mornings and later in the evenings but being visible on your walks is important to keep your dog safe. It can be difficult for others to see dogs walking during these darker months. Consider using LED dog walking lights LED Dog Necklace or a reflective or blinking collar LED Dog Collar to keep your walks safe and visible to all. Reflective gear is also a great idea for dog-walking people too.
Watch for ice
Whether on a walk or in your yard be aware of ice patches. Ice is highly dangerous and can cause ligament and joint pulls and problems in our young dogs. One slip on an ice patch can be deadly and could lead to an ER Visit quick. Keeping their hair trimmed even on their feet also helps with traction and keeps snow from accumulated. If the snow is fluffy go ahead and play some fetch but once your yard is a sleet of ice, like mine is right now, put away the balls as the slips and falls are just not worth the game of ball. Sorry pups!
Watch for antifreeze
Another thing to watch for on your walks is antifreeze spills on sidewalks or driveways. Anti-freeze containing ethylene glycol is extremely toxic and causes kidney failure with just a few licks. Keep your dog away from any anti-freeze spills and clean them up quickly if they are in your own driveway. When selecting an anti-freeze product yourself, consider choosing one that contains the safer alternative, propylene glycol, instead of ethylene glycol
Provide clean warm water
Make sure your dog has access to clean drinking water during playtimes. As I am entertained by my packs playtime antics, I sip on my chamomile tea from my thermos and feel so much better with something warmer. So personally, I offer warm water to my dogs when they are outside romping and playing. I’ve noticed they drink SO much more water recently on these cold days if it’s warm.
Don’t leave your dog in your car Our Goldens LOVE to be with us at all times, we all know this all too well. So, if your dog wants to come with you while running errands just be mindful of how long you are going to be out for. If your rig has a ‘rest’ button for the heater, remember to push that before going into a store. In this cold, cars act like a refrigerator, holding in cold air which can rapidly chill your dog, so make your trips short if pooch comes along. Getting your new young pup out for socialization is key so if you can just bring them with you and avoid leaving them behind in your rig it’s an extra bonus.
Bathe less often
Washing your dog too often can remove essential oils and increase the chance of dry skin which leads to itching and irritation. Especially now when our air is sapped of its moisture and everything is at it’s driest, consider bathing less often or even not at all during these harsh months to retain their natural oils in their skin. Goldens coats are miraculous at staying clean. When they get dirty, you just let them dry, brush them out and wa-la! There’s your creamy pup once again!
Myth – Feed more in winter
You might have heard from outside sources to feed extra in the winter to keep them ‘more insulated’. Let’s be real, no golden lives outside so no need for extra insulation. The playtimes are kept short and sweet and then they are right back on your lap curled up with you on the couch. Please keep your pup at a healthy weight throughout the winter. The health risks associated with with that outweigh any potential benefits. Watch your pet's body condition and keep them in the healthy range.
Refresh your disaster/emergency plan
Take some time to refresh and review your disaster/emergency plan for your dog (and your family of course) Unforeseen power outages due to excessive snowfall, accidents and wind can lead to extended timeframes without power to homes. Ensure you have planned for a backup source for heat, enough food, water and medications for your dog for 14 days in your emergency planning. Consider having a list of pet friendly hotels just in case. Having a predetermined plan in case of an outage or winter disaster will help you remain calm and think clearly in the event of an emergency.
Thank you to you who made it out this week to visit with the dogs in spite of this cold and treacherous weather. They thoroughly enjoyed the visitors, all the extra love, the kind gifts of toys and endless pats. I welcome the Slater & Hall families for coming on board with us here this week as they anticipate a new pup this spring. I am hopeful we have a shift sometime very soon and I am able to get this next chapter here started for many excited antsy families!
Stay safe, warm, happy and healthy out there everyone!