by Taylor Rodriguez, Ralston Valley Canine
If it’s too cold for you to be outside, it’s likely too cold for your dog, too.
avoid leaving your dog outside unsupervised in frigid temperatures
cold vehicles can act as refrigerators and your dog can freeze to death
After walking, wash your pet’s paws and belly:
to remove harsh chemicals used on pavements
ice melt contains harmful chemicals and can cause abrasions
dogs may lick to clean their paws so be sure to rinse them off
Bathe your dog as little as possible during the colder months:
washing too often can cause dry, flaky skin, especially in the winter months
dogs secrete essential oils to keep their skin healthy during the dryer months
if your dog does need to be bathed, be sure to ask your groomer to recommend moisturizing products
Thoroughly clean up any antifreeze spills:
just like coolant, antifreeze is lethal to dogs and cats
consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol
Consider using paw protectant balm or dog booties when taking your dogs out for a walk in freezing weather:
brands like Musher’s Secret, Natural Dog Company, and VetPro Complete are great options when looking for a good paw protectant for your pups’ paws
Avoid letting your dog off-leash around snow or ice, especially in snowstorms:
dogs can easily lose their way during a snowstorm because they lose their scent.
more dogs go missing in the winter months than any other season! Keep your pups safe and on leash during this time.
dogs inevitably find something interesting to chase or explore around frozen water sources, and then may find themselves falling through the ice.
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