Keep your dog warm this winter

Winter is certainly here, dark nights, cold mornings and miserable weather.
Here is a few ways you can keep your dog warm and safe this winter...






#1 Understand your dogs personal vunerability too the cold;
Thick fur coated dogs such as ,huskies, chow chows and german sheperds will genetically be prepared for cold conditions, due to their thick fur, paws and facial positioning.
 These types of dogs will not need any assistance for warmth whilst out walking in the winter.
However if you have a short haired or small dog they will suffer, inside and out this winter, due to the lack of natural insulation you will need to assist in keeping them warm, e.g coats for walking and extra blankets.

                                                                                     


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#2 Grooming

Avoid getting your dog regularly cut or shaved throughout winter as they will need all the insulation they can get.
 Although trimming the hairs around the paws are important, especially if they are being walked in the ice or snow as this can get balled up in between paws and become painful for the dog, regularly check for cuts or sores around your dogs paws.


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#3 Warm Shelter
 Make sure your dog has somewhere warm and safe to sleep.
If your dog lives outdoors in a kennel it might be an idea to bring them inside during winter to avoid them catching frost bite or becoming ill due to the cold; if you cannot house your dog inside, make sure that their kennel is well heated and that there are lots of blankets for them to snuggle into.
 Inside the house also make sure your dog has a nice bed with lots of blankets they can nuzzle down too.
 For dogs suffering with arthritus the cold can make this more painful for the dog, for this i suggest investing in a heated dog blanket or hot water bottles under blankets (make sure they are covered and safe for the dog to lye on or with!)



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#4 Don't over feed.
 Just because it is cold it does not neccessarily mean your dog needs feeding more regularily, the normal feed will do.





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#5 Lots of love.
There is nothing more your dog loves than fuss, kisses and attention to keep them warm!