Simple Tips to Help Take Care of Your Pets During Winter
Winter is a lovely time of year, full of celebrations and enjoyment, but the harsh cold may make it difficult even to go outside. Everyone has a fundamental need to be warm, including dogs and cats, as they are affected by the cold in the same way that people are.
Do you want to know some tips that will help you care for your pets during the harsh winter weather? Here are a few basic steps you can take to ensure that your dogs are happy and healthy when it’s cold outside:
Examine the Paws
Check your dog's paws for symptoms of injury or damage from the cold, such as cracked paw pads or bleeding. During winter walks, your dog's paws can take up all kinds of hazardous substances, such as salt, antifreeze, or de-icers, so make sure you wash them down before going back inside. You may also check with a dog groomer in Seattle to thoroughly check your furry friend's paws.
Groom Regularly
With more time spent indoors, the frigid winter months may appear to be the ideal time to neglect dog grooming, but the opposite is the best strategy. Grooming your pet regularly, or perhaps somewhat more frequently in some areas, is a great way to keep them happy, healthy, and feeling terrific.
Safari Shedding Comb for Long-haired Dogs
Recognize Your Dog's Limitations
Some dogs are far more sensitive to the cold than others. Short-coated, skinny, elderly, or very young dogs are more likely to become chilly immediately, so consider this when deciding how much time they should spend outside.
A well-fitting dog coat or sweater can help keep them warm but bear in mind that if it's not waterproof, it could become wet and make them feel colder. In the winter, dogs are at risk of hypothermia and frostbite, so remember that if it's too cold for you, it's too cold for your dog!
Look Under the Hood
During the winter season, cats frequently nap in automobile tire wells or even crawl inside the engine to stay warm. Be sure you don't endanger any hidden cats by banging on the hood or blasting the horn to alert them before starting your car.
Keep Them Safe
Because snow can obscure familiar odors that would typically help them find their way home, more pets go lost in the winter than in any other season. Make sure your pet's collars have up-to-date contact information and are microchipped, and keep them leashed on walks to prevent them from getting lost.
Here are more tips to help ensure your pet's safety:
- Always Prepare – It's always a good idea to have an emergency plan in place and ensure your dogs are included! Stock up enough supplies for your pets to last at least five days in an emergency kit.
- Avoid Leaving Your Pet in the Car – In the same way that hot automobiles are bad for dogs in the summer, cold cars are dangerous in the winter. Take your dogs in the car only when essential, and never leave them alone.
- Make Yourself Visible – When you walk your dog in the dark, wear luminous apparel (clothing, leash, collar, etc.) for safety and keep your dog close.
- Offer Shelter – If your pets are used to being outside, make sure they are brought inside when the weather drops below freezing. Provide them with a dry, draft-free shelter for the duration of the winter that is spacious enough for them to rest comfortably.
Conclusion
It's essential to provide extra protection for sensitive paws and paw pads when it’s chilly outside. Taking your pet for dog grooming in Seattle will provide them with the most excellent quality of life possible, as well as make them look and smell good while locked up indoors during the winter.
Earthwise Pet Nutrition Center & Wellness Spa is a local pet supplies store that offers natural pet foods, raw foods, treats, toys, litter, leashes, collars, and more. We also provide services for dog grooming in Seattle and nearby areas. Chat with us today!