Kenneth Owens' Blog: Keep Your Dogs Safe this Winter

A dog’s need for food, shelter and loving care increases during the cold winter months. Keep your dog safe and warm by following these guidelines.

Out and About

If you have a short-haired dog, consider a sweater or coat when the temperature drops below 45 degrees. Don’t forget to factor in wind chill when deciding if you should bundle up your pooch.
When there is excessive snow on the ground, use booties to keep your dog’s feet warm and dry.
Keep outings short when the temperature or windchill drops below freezing.
Don’t leave your dog alone in a car on cold days.
Dry your dog with a towel or blow-dryer if it gets wet from rain or snow. Clean snow and ice from its paws to prevent cuts and cracked pads. A little petroleum jelly may help soften and soothe paw pads.
Be extra careful when walking or playing with your dog near frozen lakes, rivers or ponds. Your dog could slip or jump in and be seriously injured.
Rock salt, used to melt ice on sidewalks, can irritate pawpads. Rinse and dry your dog’s feet after a walk.
Watch out for spilled antifreeze on driveways. Antifreeze smells and tastes good to dogs, but it is lethal.

Groom your dog regularly. Your dog needs a well-groomed coat to keep properly insulated. If your dog is long-haired, clip the hair around its paws to ease snow removal and prevent ice balls from collecting between his toes.
Dogs, like humans, seem to be more susceptible to illness in the winter. Take your dog to the veterinarian if you notice any signs of illness.
Feed your dog additional calories, particularly if it spends a lot of time outdoors or if it is a working dog. The extra calories are necessary because it takes more energy in the winter to regulate body temperature.
Provide plenty of fresh water at all times. Dogs are just as likely to get dehydrated in winter as in summer. Snow is not a good substitute for water.
Dogs can get frostbite or hypothermia when temperatures drop. Don’t leave your dog outside in the cold for long periods of time. Provide a covered shelter, such as a doghouse or kennel, for the times the dog is out of doors.
When your dog is inside, keep him warm, dry and away from drafts. Tiles and uncarpeted floors may become very cold, so put down bankets or pads for him to lie on.
Keep your dog a safe distance from supplemental heat sources such as portable heaters and fireplaces, which can cause severe burns. Place screens around fireplaces.