How to Take Care of Dogs in the Winter Season

Anyone with a pet dog understands just how important they are to us.

They are not just a pet, they are a beloved member of the family. One that gives us unconditional love and affection.

A dog enriches our lives in ways that only a furry, loving creature can.

So, in this blog, we present to you tips that would teach you how to take care of dogs during winters.

Walkies Time

Most dogs prefer going for walks early in the morning and again in the evening. However, it is best to change this routine in the colder months.

Like the saying goes, “make hay while the sun shines”. This can be applied to walking dogs as well.

No matter how much your four-legged family member bugs you to go out early in the morning, you should wait till late-morning for going on a walk.

This is when it gets a bit warmer. Hence, your little darling won’t get too cold.

When it’s time for the second walk of the day, head out with your pupper in the early-afternoon.

The temperatures would still be warm enough for you and your pet to walk around comfortably.

Even though thick-coated dogs like huskies and chow chows have a high tolerance for extremely cold temperatures, their paws could still freeze if they walk on snow.

So, it is best for them to go out for walks when it’s not extra-cold outside.

If you have high-energy dogs and making the daily walks shorter is not really an option, then pick out some good-quality booties for your furbaby.

It would help them walk comfortably even in the snow. After all, a well-exercised dog is a calm and happy dog!

Sweater Weather

Wondering how to keep your dog warm in winter? Pay heed to this winter care tip for dogs.

You don’t need to turn your dog into a canine fashionista. But it is important to make sure that your doggo doesn’t get too cold in the winter.

Make the furry kiddo wear a sweater or a coat. Bundle them up and keep them warm.

And simply putting your pup in a coat is not enough, you would need to put booties on them as well. Especially if you live in a place where it snows.

If you have indoor heating, then clothes are not required when your dog is indoors.

But when you head out for a walk, you absolutely need to make sure that your little sweetheart is all suited and booted.

Also, when buying a coat for a dog, you need to keep a few things in mind. The size and thickness of the coat being the most important factors here.

Outdoor Play Sessions

Outdoor play sessions are very important for the overall health and happiness of doggos.

Unless there’s a snow storm outside, it should be safe for your dog to go out and play in the winter.

Make sure that they are wearing warm clothes and booties. Even if they stay outside only for a few minutes.

Letting a dog play outside without appropriate winter dog clothes can lead to numerous health complications.

So, get your dog a nice jacket or coat. Dog winter coats are easily available at pet stores and online shopping websites.

Invest in a good dog coat if you want to keep your dog safe in the winter season.

There is one more thing that you need to consider. You would need to make sure that your dog does not remain outside for too long in the winter season.

It is best to keep the outdoor play sessions short.

Food Intake  

When you discuss how to care for your dog in winter, a dog’s food requirement doesn’t come to mind easily.

That doesn’t mean that it is not important. In fact, a dog’s diet is crucial when it’s about maintaining their health and happiness.

Compared to the summer season, dogs need fewer calories in the winter season. It is because most dogs like to sleep more when the weather gets cold.      

When a dog’s activity level decreases, so should the amount of food they eat.

If dogs keep eating the same amount of food while their daily-activity decreases, their weight might increase considerably within a short period of time.

It can further lead to various health complications.  

So, adjust your dog’s food intake according to the kind of dog you have and how active your dog stays during winters.

Working dog breeds might need more calories compared to regular pet dogs, even in the winter season.

If you’re not sure how much food to feed your dog, it is best for you to consult a vet for advice.

Grooming Sessions

A lot of pet pawrents don’t like to bathe their furbabies during the winter season. It is not really a correct approach to a pet care routine.

A major part of dog winter care is keeping your canine kid well-groomed.

Having a clean and well-groomed coat helps a pooch with insulation. Keeping your dog’s natural coat of fur clean and tidy is very important.

It helps them stay warm during winters. So, it is advisable for you to bathe your dog atleast once every 2 weeks.

If your dog likes to stay mostly indoors and doesn’t get that dirty that often, then bathing your dog once in 3 weeks should suffice.

If you have an outdoorsy dog who loves to roll in the mud or animal poop, then bathe them whenever necessary.

Remember, a clean dog is a happy and healthy dog.

Dangers of Dehydration

Just like humans, dogs tend to drink much less water in the winter season than in the summer season.

So, there is a very real risk that your dog may face dehydration in the winter.

If your pupper likes to play outside for long hours, then the chances of the furbaby getting dehydrated increases.

Put a water bowl in the yard so your beloved pooch has access to clean drinking water at all times.

Making sure that your dog stays hydrated is an important part of protecting your dog in the winter season.

When a dog stays well-hydrated, it helps them in staying healthy as well.

Comfortable Beds

This one’s a given and hence, often missed when discussing dog winter care tips.

Always ensure that your furkid has a comfortable bed. A warm and snug blanket is a must-have item in your dog’s bed.

Invest in a good elevated dog bed if you don’t use an indoor heating system. This way, your dog would be protected from the cold tiles or concrete floors.

You also need to put the dog bed in a place that doesn’t fall in the middle of any cold drafts.

When you protect your dog from the winter’s cold, you also protect them from the illnesses that are caused by cold weather.

Canine Skin Care Routine

Just like humans, most creatures who have skin need a skin care routine. Especially in the winter season when the weather is dry.

This applies to pets as well. When you take care of dogs, taking care of their skin and coat is an essential part of it.

You can apply coconut oil on your furbaby in order to keep their skin and coat moisturised.

Coconut oil has antibacterial and antifungal properties that help in protecting a dog’s skin and keeping it healthy.

It also helps in reducing inflammation. Furthermore, coconut oil promotes healing of minor cuts and wounds.

As coconut oil is really good for the skin, it should be an irreplaceable part of your dog’s skin care routine.      

Heater Dangers    

While taking care of dogs in winter, many people tend to use room heaters.

Though they are absolutely great when it comes to keeping your home warm in the winter season, heaters can prove to be a threat to dogs.

And not just heaters, radiators and fireplaces can be dangerous as well. That is because your canine family member gravitates towards anything that provides warmth.

So, there is a very real chance that they end up with burns.

If you have a pet in the house and live in a cold place where indoor heating is needed extensively, then it is advisable for you to pet-proof all the heat sources.

This way, your dog stays safe and you stay worry-free.

Little Escape Artists

It doesn’t matter if you have a giant house-horse or a tiny gremlin for a dog, most dogs become excellent escape artists the moment they see an opportunity.

It is very important that you do not let your howling Houdini pull a fast one on you.

A dog escaping from a yard or a house and roaming around by themselves is not safe even when the weather is good.

But in cold weather, it becomes even more risky. And if it snows, then the chances of them getting hit by a car increases considerably.

When you shovel the snow in your backyard, don’t keep it piled up near the fence.

Your dog would just get a platform from where he or she can jump over the fence and run around the neighbourhood.

Even if it doesn’t snow where you live, your favourite four-legged creature might still find a way to break out from the backyard.

So, see to it that the fence is secure and there’s absolutely no way for your doggo to breach it. And it’s not just about your furbaby escaping from the backyard.

Your dog can get lost while out for a walk, or from the car while running errands with you or while you take him or her out for a drive.        

So, while enjoying nature in the winter season, it is best to keep your dog leashed at all times.

Unless you’re completely sure that you won’t lose your dog from a particular place. For example, a double-gated fenced-in dog park.

It is hard for pet dogs to survive on their own, out in the streets.

But the freezing temperatures of the winter season makes it that much harder for the pups to make it on their own.

Hence, an important part of protecting dogs in the winter season is making sure that they don’t get lost.

Prevent Winter Health Risks

In a year, each of the seasons brings along different health risks for your furkids. The winter season is no different.

Though some puppers tend to fall sick more often in the summer, for others, the winters can get pretty bad.

Other than the illnesses a dog might suffer from in the winter season, there are other winter health risks for you to consider.

Frostbite and hypothermia are two of those winter health threats that your dog might have to face.

Frostbite usually happens to dogs living in places that get snowfall. Dogs should never be left outside for long periods of time.

Especially if it snows where you live. Frostbite can get so severe that ice crystals can form in the tissues and damage your dog’s ears, paws and tail.

Hypothermia can happen when your pooch is left out in the cold for too long. Your little darling can get hypothermia also if he or she gets wet on a cold day.

Be it because of rain or by accidentally falling into a pool or a pond. Hypothermia can potentially be life-threatening to your dog.

If you’ve been wondering how to protect dogs in winter, then take precautions to keep them away from these obvious winter dangers.

Always watch them carefully when you take them out for a walk. And bring them home immediately if you feel that they’re feeling too cold.  

Another winter hazard for dogs is road salt. Whenever there’s a sizable amount of snowfall, the snow on the roads needs to be cleared with salt.

If your dog’s paw-skin is cracked due to winter dryness, the road salt can burn their paws.

Road salt can also be harmful to your pet if he or she licks it off the paws. So, you should put some booties on the paws to protect your dog in the winter.      

Taking Care of Senior Dogs

During the winter season, existing medical conditions get worse. It happens more often to older dogs.

This is why you need to keep a close eye on your aged dog. When dogs turn about 6-7 years old, they are considered to be senior dogs.

Arthritis is one of the illnesses that plague senior dogs. And it can get really bad when the weather is cold.

If your senior dog has arthritis, make sure that the furbaby has a comfortable bed to sleep in.

Get your senior pupper some good dog winter clothes. Keeping them warm and toasty is a great way to stop the arthritis from flaring up.

It also helps in protecting your dog against bouts of cough and cold. Regular exercise is important for a dog to stay healthy, even if your little darling is not that young anymore.

Senior dogs still need to engage in moderate exercise. Daily walks usually help in keeping arthritis and muscle loss at bay. It also keeps your dog happy.

If your dog already has arthritis or some other form of medical condition, consult a vet for advice on the appropriate amount of exercise needed by your dog.

Taking care of old dogs in the winter can be a bit tricky.

However, with a little effort and some extra attention, you can ensure that your dog stays happy, healthy and safe throughout the winter season.    

When dogs get sick, they can’t tell you that they are sick. So, you need to look for subtle signs that denote their state of health.

If you’re a first time owner, you can go through the signs that tell you your dog is sick. You’ll learn to recognise when your dog gets sick and take him or her to the vet on time.