WINTER FUN

from Las Vegas Pet Scene Magazine, January/February 2023

FOOD TRENDS

Let’s Play!

Have you ever had the chance to romp and play with your dog in the snow? EVERY dog should have the opportunity to experience all the fun you can have playing in fluffy, beautiful snow! Diving through it and trying to fetch a disappearing snowball ensures a day of unique entertainment for both you AND your pup.

Those of us living in Las Vegas may not have had the opportunity to experience the joy of playing with our dogs in the snow. Thankfully, there are a few snowy places to visit a relatively short drive away:

» Mt. Charleston, NV – 40 miles/1 hour » Brian Head Resort, UT – 202 miles/3 hours » Big Bear Mountain Resort, CA – 214 miles/3.5 hours

If you are considering an overnight stay for your snowy adventure, plan ahead and research dog-friendly hotels/ motels and rental properties near your destination.

Before planning for a cold weather trip, it is important to ensure that your dog is healthy and prepared for colder temperatures than they are used to. Having a long furry coat will help your dog stay warm. If you were considering a grooming and trimming appointment for your pup, now is not the time. That nice long warm coat definitely serves a purpose for cold weather protection. If your dog has a short coat, you might want to consider purchasing (or borrowing) a doggie sweater or jacket. Adding that extra layer to your dog’s body will keep him much warmer. Depending on the severity of the cold in your expected destination, doggie boots may also be a good idea. They not only protect their paws from the cold, but also from the sharp ice they may encounter. In addition to your usual pet-travel supplies, you should also bring extra blankets, towels, and FOOD. (Your pup will be burning up a lot more calories in the colder climate.) Don’t forget the water as well. Even though it is cold, dogs still need plenty of water to replace fluid lost through respiration, sweat, and urination. In general, pack more things than you think you will need. Better to be safe than sorry. When you arrive at your desired location, take a look around for any possible hazards you may encounter. Snow is beautiful, but it can also cover dangerous objects and dropoffs you can’t see. Sharp fallen branches and deep holes in the ground can be conspicuously covered by a gorgeous layer of soft snow. Seeking out off-leash dog parks and dog-friendly walking trails is typically the safest plan for first-time snow adventurers. Before letting your dog off-leash in any area, check out the surroundings on your own. You may be able to see potentially dangerous areas before you letting your dog explore. If your pup has never experienced snow before, it is usually best to take them on a little walk around the area before you let them explore on their own. In some cases, dogs find snow to be a little scary at first. Understandably, snow is a very strange thing to encounter if you’ve never seen it before!

There are so many fun games to play in the snow. In addition to the sheer fun of running, jumping and sliding through it, see if your dog will catch a snowball or try to fetch one. Throw a favorite fetch toy and enjoy your pup’s attempt to dig it out. You can even invent your own fun snow games.