“Baby it’s cold outside!”
And even though we don’t refer to it anymore as the ‘Polar Vortex we have some extremely cold temperatures across the GTA so far this winter. With more to come before its all over. Dressing properly and respecting the cold is essential for both you and your Dog. Here are some reminders about how to keep your Dog safe during cold weather:
- Check up. Cold weather can exaggerate some medical conditions. Getting a thorough check up will identify any potential issues so you can treat it appropriately and adjust time outside.
- Outdoor limits. Each Dog will have their limits for tolerating the cold. Body fat, coat, activity level and overall health are all contributing factors. On those bright, sunny days the cold can be especially deceiving. You will need to shorten the outdoor walks and be even more alert to your Dog’s behaviour.
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Car Safety. In the car your Dog should be in a crate or a seatbelt harness while travelling. Unrestrained Dogs can be injured in a collision and can be a distraction to the driver.
- Staying inside. On those really cold days with extreme wind chills, stay inside! Dogs are susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia just like we are.
- Checking their Paws. Salt on the sidewalks, hard and crusty snow…these are just a couple of things that can injure your Dog’s paws. Booties are a good option but watching how they walk when outdoors and checking their paw pads after is good practice.
- Dress up for the cold. Short hair Dogs are especially susceptible to cold temperatures so a sweater or coat is a good option to provide additional protection
Pay attention to the weather conditions and stay alert to your Dog’s behaviour during these cold conditions.
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At The Dog Stop we are dedicated to ensuring that you and your pet have a long and healthy relationship. We offer Walks N Wags Pet first aid courses for Dogs and Cats. From learning how to prevent illness and injuries to dealing with bleeding, broken bones, choking, CPR/AR and so much more. Our next course is March 8, 2015. We also offer Training Programs for every age and stage. Click here for details: Training Programs.
