Caring For Your Dog in Cold Weather
Caring For Your Dog in Cold Weather
Your dog may look warm and cozy in that great fur coat. However, very low temperatures can be dangerous for dogs. Certain breeds are more tolerant of cold temperatures than others but for all breeds it is important that you protect your dog from the dangers of extremely low temperatures.

How Cold is Dangerously Cold?
The answer to this is dependent on quite a few factors including:

Type of Dog.
If you have a dog that was bred for Arctic temperatures, then he or she will be safe and comfortable in lower temperatures than other dogs. Similarly, if your dog has a thick coat of fur then he or she is likely to be more comfortable than a dog with a thin coat.

Shih Tzus are long haired dogs but are still indoor dogs. They can not live outside. In cold weather they will freeze to death!

Weather Conditions.
It is not just the cold temperatures that are a potential danger. Snow and ice can stick to fur and be dangerous for dogs as well. Also, dogs who are allowed to roam free have a greater chance of getting lost during a snow storm because it is harder to track a scent through snow. Further dangers of snow and ice include the chemicals humans use to treat snow and ice. Antifreeze and salt can be dangerous for dogs to ingest and extremely irritating to their paws.

What Can I Do To Protect My Dog?
There are a number of things that you can do to make winter a little easier for your pet including:

Keep your dog’s coat as long as possible. This will provide natural warmth and protection. Save the short or shaved haircuts for the summer months.

Thoroughly dry your dog’s coat and fur when you come inside. Removing the ice and snow will warm the dog up faster and remove potentially dangerous chemicals from his or her skin.

Adopt a puppy in the warm weather, if possible. Puppies are more prone to the dangers of cold weather. They also need to go outside often while they are being housebroken. So, it is safe and easier to adopt them in the warmer months when possible.

Find indoor exercise options. If you have a very active dog find fun indoor activities to get your dog moving. Agility courses or a game of fetch inside are good choices. During severe cold snaps, save the outdoor activities for when you dog needs to relieve itself.

Purchase a sweater for a small dog. Your dog does not need to be a fashionista. However, if you have a small dog with a thin coat, a sweater can help your dog retain its body heat while outdoors.

It can be difficult to have a dog during the cold winter months. Neither you, nor the dog, is likely to want to go outside. However, some time outdoors is healthy and necessary for your pet. So, take the necessary precautions to keep your dog safe during the winter and you both can start looking forward to spring.

Article by William Beasley of Oh My Dog Supplies, your top spot to purchase durable dog bowls online.