The temperature has dropped, and you might have noticed changes in your fido’s behaviour. If she loves winter, then her enthusiasm would be over the moon, or else she would crawl somewhere to get a nap!
No matter whether your fido is the furriest or not, winter care is essential for all the fidos. If you do not offer proper care, winter can bring a lot of trouble in your fido’s life. From frostbites and hypothermia to flaky skin and more, winter brings a bundle of troubles for dogs. But, don’t worry! We’ve got you!
Read on to know some essential winter care tips that can keep the winter woes at bay!
Avoid Cold Water Baths – Bathing your fido once in four to six weeks even in winter is essential to keep them fresh. However, when you do, make sure that you use either warm or lukewarm water depending upon the temperature of your region.
Before bathing, check the temperature of the water by pouring a bit on your skin. Additionally, you can allow your dog to touch the water with his paws to get acquainted with the temperature.
Here are some additional tips for bathing your tail-wagger in winter:
– In winter, it’s better to bathe your dog in the early morning so that she can dry herself naturally in the sun. However, pat drying them before leaving them in the sun is essential.
– Don’t let your wet dog roam outdoors after a bath. In winter, sometimes sunshine is not available. In such a case, dry your dog indoors. You can use a thick absorbent towel or use a blow dryer to dry them.
Moisturise – Dry and cold weather can make your dog’s coat dry and flaky. In some cases, it can even lead to redness, itching and irritation. Thus, you must massage your dog with either coconut or olive oil. While massaging, make sure the oil reaches the coat and not just the hair so as to keep it moisturised and prevent dryness.
Limit the Outdoor Time– Pets love to play outside but in winter even the furriest dog can get cold. So, should you keep your pup indoors throughout the winter? No! Exercise, playing and going for walks are equally required in the winter season.
You need to devise a plan as to when you must take her for walks and for how long. Just make sure to put on some winter wear before taking her out. Also, when you do so, don’t keep her outdoors for too long as she might catch a cold.
Cosy Bedding – In winter, along with limiting the outdoor time ensuring that she doesn’t sleep on cold floors is important. Get a warm blanket that’s soft and comfortable, and look out for raised beds to avoid her body touching the icy cold floor. Also, heating pet beds can help to avoid stiffness of joints for aged fidos.
Moreover, place the bedding in one of the most favourite spots of your dog at your house that is neither too cold nor too warm.
Keep Your Fido Hydrated – Hydration is as important in winter as it is in summer for your fido. Thus, keep the water bowl always filled and check at least once in a while whether she’s drinking or not. Even when you take her outdoors, make sure to carry a water bowl to keep her hydrated.
If your dog stays outdoors in the yard a lot, make sure she has access to a water bowl and that the water is neither extremely cold nor frozen.
Avoid Overfeeding – The cold and breezy atmosphere and the soft bedding can even make the most active fido a little lazy. Thus, attention needs to be paid to nutritional the diet of your pooch.
For this, look out for the activity level of your dog and adjust the calorie intake accordingly. For instance, if your fido is engaging in fewer activities, it might be better to lower her calorie intake otherwise, she’ll develop excessive fat.
Also, in winter, you must offer high-quality and whole foods such as raw meat to keep her active and filled.
Take Care of Those Tiny Paws- Cracked pads in winter are a common nuisance for dogs. However, with proper care, they can be avoided.
When you take your dog for a walk, it is possible for winter salt to get stuck on his pads. These salts are toxic and can even burn your fido’s pads. Thus, after every walk, you must wipe or rinse the pads. For extra nourishment, massage a few drops of coconut or olive oil at night on his paws.
Additionally, trim the protruding hair which grows in between pads to make sure the salt doesn’t get stuck on them.
Take Extra Care of Senior Dogs – Winter season can aggravate the existing health issues of senior fidos especially those with arthritis. Thus, maintaining an exercise regime and giving them enough time to rest is very essential.
Also, take her for exercises during the sunshine and make sure that the area you choose is not slippery. Moreover, add natural joints supplement to their diet to lubricate their joints and ease arthritis.
Lastly, enjoy winter with your tailwagger while keeping these winter care tips in mind! And don’t forget to cuddle your pooch, as that offers the best warmth and comfort!
