Two Tips To Keep Your Dog Safe And Comfortable This Winter
The winter months can bring unique health hazards for your dog. However, some dog owners may be unaware of the various threats that their dog will face during this time of the year. In order to help you be a better informed pet owner, you should make it a point to follow these tips so that your dog will be as safe and comfortable as possible this winter.
Invest In Winter Gear
While you may assume that the cold will not bother your dog because of its fur, this is not the case. Cold temperatures can be extremely uncomfortable and hazardous for dogs despite having fur on their bodies. This can be especially true for dogs that spend much of their time inside as they will not be used to the cold temperatures. An effective way to keep your pet safe during these instances is to invest in a specially designed dog coat. These coats are made to comfortably fit on your dog, and they will help to minimize the discomfort that the cold outside temperatures can cause. There are various coat sizes for different breeds of dogs.
In addition to wearing this coat, you may also want to invest in protective foot coverings for your pet. The pads of their feet can be very sensitive. Due to this, ice and snow can be painful, but these coverings can be a cost-effective and easy solution for protecting your dog's feet when it is snowy and icy outside.
Wash Your Dog's Feet After Being Outside
To prevent roads and driveways from icing over, it is common for deicing chemicals to be placed on them. These substances are able to melt ice, which can minimize the risk of an auto accident. However, these substances can be extremely abrasive to your pet's feet. While foot coverings can minimize this problem, it is common for individuals to only put these on their dog when there is snow or ice on the ground. However, your pet's feet may still come into contact with these substances between snows. To prevent your pet's feet from being harmed, you should rinse the pads of their feet when they come inside. This may add a few minutes to the task of taking your pet for a walk on a winter's day, but it can be a minor inconvenience for avoiding the risk of your pet's feet becoming severely burned or infected as a result of these injuries.
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