Winter is Coming… By Jenny Kline
W
e get our homes and vehicles ready for winter and all that entails—snow, ice, and cold temperatures. But what about our canine family members? How can we keep them safe and warm and healthy when old man winter shows up? Our dogs are completely dependent on us to take care of all their needs. Feeding them species-appropriate food, taking care of their medical needs, exercising them, and making sure they are comfortable, warm, and dry are OUR responsibilities. Dog lovers agree: NO dog should be left outside in the winter! If it is too cold for you to be outside without a coat on, then it is too cold for your dog. Dogs can get frostbite and hypothermia just like us! Here are some important things
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to keep in mind to keep your dog healthy, warm, and safe in the cold months ahead. Leash walks are best when the sun is out, in the warmest part of the day. That’s easy to do here in New Mexico, since the sun is almost always shining! But if you must take a walk in the evening, try putting a sweater on your dog and keep your walk short. A dog’s extremities will get cold first, and they can get frostbite. Protective booties will help not only keep the paws warm, but also protect them from ice and snow build up in the paw pads. To help keep snow from accumulating in the pads, keep the hair around and in between the pads trimmed short. Sidewalk ice melting products will BURN your dog’s feet! If your dog steps in this, it will start to burn within a few minutes, and your dog will let you know something is wrong. I’ve seen this happen to one of my own dogs, and I knew right away what had happened. It really was an immediate reaction. Carefully wipe off any granules stuck to his feet and rinse off completely with warm water once you get home. Discourage licking, as it is also TOXIC! Long-haired breeds may look like they wont be cold, but their coat only works as insulation if it is free of mats and dead undercoat. That means if you have not had your long-haired dog thoroughly brushed out at
the groomers within the last month, chances are there will be dead undercoat packed in his fur. Even when properly brushed out, they cannot tolerate long exposure to the cold. Although our dogs share similarities with their wolf, coyote, and fox ancestors, they are now DOMESTICATED animals and have lost their survival skills. In other words, domestication has made dogs wimpy! Just like humans, the very young or elderly dogs are even less able to handle the cold. Conditions such as arthritis are exacerbated by the cold. Skinny, unhealthy, un-groomed (matted), or short-haired dogs are also more susceptible to frostbite or hypothermia. Wind, snow, or sleet further reduce their ability to withstand low temperatures. Windchill numbers don’t just apply to humans! Dogs can become dehydrated even in the winter, so make sure your dog has plenty of fresh clean water—not ice in his bowl! Snow accumulation in your yard can make it possible for your dog to climb over your fence and get out. It is also possible for small dogs to literally get stuck in drifts and be unable to climb out. If there is snow on your roof, it can slide off and injure your dog, so make sure your dog isn’t hanging out under the eaves! Around the holidays, don’t forget that Poinsettias are POISONOUS to dogs (and cats). Make sure to decorate with plants that are not toxic to your fur-kids! Anti-freeze is also deadly to dogs (and cats). Always make sure to clean up any spills or leaks. But don’t let all the warnings stop you from having fun with your dog outdoors this winter! Short hikes and romping in the snow are great for chasing away the winter blues and burning off some energy.
