Winter is the harshest season in Canada, and each year, we all take steps to prepare for it. That leaves some of us wondering how to keep our pets warm in the winter, especially when taking them outside. We at Pet Shield have chosen our favourite tips for keeping your pet warm and healthy during the winter!
Limit Time Outside
No dog is meant to spend huge amounts of time outside in the winter, and thick coats don’t protect all body parts. Ears, paws, and noses are left exposed. Lowering your pet’s exposure to harsh winter conditions is very important for their health. Don’t leave dogs outside unattended for any length of time on cold days. You should really only take them outside in conditions like that if they’re going to be active and exercise. Even then, you should shorten your time spent outside.
Don’t Leave Them in the Car
Just like with hot weather, leaving a dog in the car for extended hours is not a good idea in the cold. During the winter months, cars can get cold fast when left outside. For your pet’s safety and comfort, try to avoid situations where you have to leave them in a cold car.
Wipe Their Paws
When you take your pet for walks, there’s more than snow on the ground to be worried about. Dirt, salt, and other toxic chemicals like antifreeze can build up on their feet. Licking them to clean them off could cause your pet to ingest something toxic, especially antifreeze. Wipe your pet’s paws with a towel once you arrive home, and monitor their feet for any injuries caused by ice. You can also trim the hair between their toes to prevent an ice buildup.
Shelter Outside
We at Pet Shield highly recommend not leaving your pet outside for extended amounts of time, but if you have no choice but to leave them out for an hour or two, make sure they have a dry, roomy shelter out of the wind. To keep your pet safe, the shelter’s floor should be raised a few inches off the ground, and the floor should be covered with straw of another soft covering. Make sure they have plenty of food and that their water hasn’t frozen over, and remember, try not to leave them out for too long.
Winter Dress
We don’t recommend dressing up your pets for fun, but smaller, short-haired dogs can benefit from a little extra covering when the air is chilled. Just make sure to leave their head bare. If it’s so cold that you feel you should be covering their head, it’s probably best to not spend much time outside.
Know the Warning Signs
If your pet starts experiencing these symptoms, get them inside, and considering contacting your vet:
- Whining, acting anxious
- Constant shivering
- Snow or ice on their hair or body
- Slow movement, little to no movement
- Looking for places to burrow
These can be signs of severe chills and/or hypothermia. Wrap your pet up in blanket to keep them warm once you get them safely to shelter, then reach out to your vet for further instruction. Sometimes, frostbite symptoms take a bit longer to appear, so make sure to keep an eye on your pet throughout the week to notice anything unusual. Keep an eye out for any painful or pale areas.
Pet Shield is Here!
Make sure your pet remains protected throughout the harshest season of the year, and always. Get a free quote today to discover how easy and inexpensive it can be to provide coverage for your best friend!
