Coats & boots; how do I know if my dog is warm in the wintertime?
As pet parents, it’s our duty to make sure our canines are comfortable. Throughout the cold winter months, it’s important to assess whether or not your pooch is adequately warm.
Below, we’ll go over some of the best ways to determine if Fido is warm enough while out on winter walks. We’ll also go over some strategies so that you can keep your companion cozy throughout any season.
How Do I Know If My Dog Is Warm Enough?
Unfortunately, our dogs can’t tell us how they’re feeling, so it’s important to pay attention to their body language especially when they’re exercising or out in extreme weather conditions. Here are a couple of clear signs that your pooch might not be warm enough while you’re out on a walk:
- Tail is tucked in between the legs
- Excessive shivering or trembling
- Holds their paws up
- Attempts to turn back or refuses to walk altogether
- Nose is extremely cold to the touch
- Ears are extremely cold to the touch
If your pooch is experiencing one or a few of these symptoms, it’s best to turn around and get your dog to a safe, warm environment. Just like us, dogs can suffer from hypothermia or frostbite, so it’s important to keep them cozy whenever you step out of the house in winter.
How To Keep Your Dog Warm In The Wintertime
- Understand Your Dog’s Breed: One of the best things you can do as a pet parent is to read up on your dog’s breed characteristics surrounding their coat. For example, some breeds have a built-in undercoat along with their exterior coat which helps them stay thoroughly insulated when faced with cold weather. If you have a single-coated breed, you’ll want to pay extra attention to your dog’s signals while out on winter walks to keep him as safe as possible.
- Invest In A Canine Coat: Certain dogs can benefit heavily from wearing a coat when stepping out for winter walks. Try to pick out coats that utilize insulating fabrics like fleece or wool. You also might want to find a coat that has a water-resistant or waterproof exterior in case you have to take a stroll while it’s snowing.
- Give Buddy Some Booties: While your pooch might take some time to warm up to the idea of booties, footwear for Fido can help him stay warm while out on walks. In addition, some sidewalk salt or ice melt can be extremely drying to your dog’s paws, so booties can act as a protective barrier. Regardless, it’s always a good idea to wipe down your pup’s paws after walking, especially through the winter.
- Plan Walks According to The Weather: You’ll want to be strategic about planning your pup’s walks in order to keep him cozy. Generally speaking, the warmest part of the day is right around 12-3 pm, so try to schedule your longest walk within that window.
- Provide Warm Areas Indoors: Make sure your pooch has a warm area to retreat to in your home when coming in from the cold. Provide plenty of blankets, fresh water, and keep your home at a cozy temperature. If your pooch likes to stay warm, you can even look into heated dog beds.
- Minimize Time Outside: When you do go on walks throughout the winter, try to keep them as short as possible. Unless your pooch is a certified sled dog like the Husky, he probably doesn’t want to stay outside for too long anyhow. However, don’t forget to supplement the lost walk time with additional indoor exercise and playtime to keep your pooch feeling his best.
Winter walk safety is imperative to keep our dogs feeling their best. With walk awareness and the help of these strategies, you’ll have no trouble keeping man’s best friend cozy throughout the winter months.
