7 Tips for Keeping Your Dog Safe This Winter
All across America, families are bundling up for the winter season in their Black Friday buys. From padded jackets and fuzzy scarves to toasty gloves and wool hats, we’re making sure our toes and fingers stay warm. But, let’s not forget about our protecting our dogs from the harsh winter elements as well.
Here are 7 easy tips for protecting your dog this winter season:
#1 Protect their paws with booties
No, they’re not just a fashion statement. Well, they can be, but they are really there to protect your dog’s paws from de-icing products such as salt and grit. The mixture of salt and snow can burn the bottom of their paws causing a lot of pain and irritation. There are plenty of products available online or at your local pet supply store including reusable all-weather boots, or disposable rubber booties that can actually be used multiple times and come in 100% biodegradable options.
Boots will also help keep their feet a bit warmer especially if they have long fur that tends to freeze which brings us into our next tip…
#2 Trim wild foot fur
Or what we like to call, “Grinch feet”. Cut back any long hair that grows beyond your dog’s feet to reduce the chance of little ice balls forming between their toes and paw pads.
#3 Wipe their feet before coming inside
While this should be a daily habit especially if you live in a city, wiping off your dog’s paws before they come back inside will help remove any foreign substances that might have gotten trapped in their fur or between their toes. Dip their paws in a warm bowl of water to melt off snow or if you’re in a rush, use a few paw wipes to remove the grime, salt, grit, etc.
#4 Bundle up in a warm jacket or sweater
Another great fashion-forward opportunity for small breeds, breeds with short hair, or those that are more sensitive to the cold. A warm, padded jacket will help your dog face the cold weather for longer periods of time, which means more outdoor fun for everyone!
#5 Dress them in bright colors
Whether it’s a colorful jacket or a bright collar, try to choose colors that can be easily spotted in the snow, especially with white or lighter-colored dogs. They seem to get easily lost the moment their nose enters the snow, and we want to ensure we keep a good eye on them. Light-up leads and collars are super great when the days get shorter and night starts to roll in a bit earlier.
#6 Keep the antifreeze out of reach
Even a little bit of antifreeze can induce serious illness in your pet, and during the winter months, this stuff is everywhere. Make sure that it stays out of reach in the garage, and clean up spills right away. Also, keep your dog from eating the snow around the driveway and streets since they may be contaminated. If you think your dog has ingested antifreeze, immediately take them to the vet.
#7 Stay away from frozen water
As fun as it is to slip and slide all over a frozen lake or river, keep your pooch off the ice. Not only could your dog fall in, but it could also injure itself if it falls or strains muscles to balance itself.
As fun as dressing up our dogs is, sometimes taking care of them costs more than that. Surprise veterinary emergencies can cost thousands of dollars. That’s why Odie Pet Insurance exists. We provide insurance for all the big things, with the option to take care of routine care. Explore how we can help so you can rest easy.
Trying to find the right vet for your companion? You can read more about choosing a vet that gets your pet here.
