Preparing Your Dog for Cooler Weather: Fall Care Tips

The seasons are changing, and winter weather is coming. Before your dog, in a flash, is out the door and across the street looking for snowshoe hares, caribou, and cats, his wild ancestry ignited—here are a few ways to keep your dog safe and comfortable during the cold winter months, so they can ignite their ancestry and be what they truly are: dogs

Understanding Cold Weather and Your Dog

An easy rule of thumb: if you are ever not sure if the temperature outside is too cold, just remember that if you are cold, then your dog is likely cold as well. Like any animal, tolerance to ambient conditions can be random and diverse, with some dogs handling it very well while others do not. For dogs made for cold weather, like Huskies, it's not a bad idea to increase their daily meals once winter hits, ensuring that plenty of protein is being given for a healthy dog and coat while the weather is cold.

Essential Tips for Winter Care

Exercise is another activity that should not go away during the winter, but you should plan a bit more ahead for when you do. Just like humans, dogs need some warming up before they begin anything strenuous or demanding, and your dog is no different. Be sure they get a chance to warm up first before they head out into the cold for a walk. Another thing to keep in mind is their paws. Dogs are at risk of salt poisoning during the colder months, as many cities place salt on pavements to melt the ice. A dog's paws can pick up the granules, and when they get home, some dogs will lick their paws. If they do this enough, it can cause salt poisoning. Best practice: wipe down your dog's paws after every walk outside.

The next tip we hear way more often in the hotter months than the colder ones is that the temperature in your car and leaving pets in your car for long periods can be just as life-threatening to them in the winter as it can be in the summer, especially for puppies, as they are not able to deal with the cold as well as their adult parents can.

If someone ever asks, “Do dogs get cold?” the answer is yes, and if you want to know when they are too cold, just ask yourself if you are; it's that simple. Have a safe and warm winter with your fur baby!