Dogs might be able to stay warmer in the winter than us humans, but there are limits to what most dogs can tolerate. Dogs can get cold, sick and frostbite during the winter just like we can. In addition to getting sick, there are other winter hazards all dog owners should be aware of.
Here are some tips to keep your dog healthy, happy and safe during the long winter.
When you take your dog for a walk they can step in all kinds of things. There is rock salt and rock salt with added chemicals. There is dripping anti-freeze in the garage.
Another product they put on the roads to keep the water from freezing. It is called mag-chloride and is a liquid sprayed on the roads. I don’t know all of the ingredients in this, but I do know it can mess up the paint on some cars and is said to corrode power lines.
When you get home and park in the driveway or garage, this mag-chloride will drip off the car. Your dog can walk in this and get it on their paws.
Keep Your Dog's Paws Clean
When you take your dog for a walk they can step in all kinds of things. There is rock salt and rock salt with added chemicals. There is dripping anti-freeze in the garage.
Another product they put on the roads to keep the water from freezing. It is called mag-chloride and is a liquid sprayed on the roads. I don’t know all of the ingredients in this, but I do know it can mess up the paint on some cars and is said to corrode power lines.
When you get home and park in the driveway or garage, this mag-chloride will drip off the car. Your dog can walk in this and get it on their paws.
When your dog goes back in the house and lies down, they can lick their paws, ingesting these toxic chemicals.
You should wipe off their paws when you get back in the house just to make sure there isn’t anything on their paws.
Antifreeze Can Poison Your Dog
Pay attention to where you put your bottles of anti-freeze. Dogs like the taste of anti-freeze and if you forget and leave it low enough, there is a chance your dog could lick the bottle.
Cars can also leak anti-freeze onto the garage floor, make sure your dog doesn't lick that.
Do not keep your dog out all night long, or all day long with cold temperatures thinking that a doghouse will keep them nice and warm. And don’t forget about the wind chill.
The wind chill is what the temperature actually feels like on the skin and drives down the body temperature, which can cause frostbite.
Dogs Can Get Frostbite
Do not keep your dog out all night long, or all day long with cold temperatures thinking that a doghouse will keep them nice and warm. And don’t forget about the wind chill.
The wind chill is what the temperature actually feels like on the skin and drives down the body temperature, which can cause frostbite.
An air temperature of 0 F (-18 C) and a wind of 20 mph (32 km/h) will cause a wind chill temperature of –22 F (-30 C).
Even going for a walk, your dog can get hypothermia. Dogs love going for a walk, even on a cold snowy day. You can get a winter jacket for your dog so they do not get hypothermia.
Even going for a walk, your dog can get hypothermia. Dogs love going for a walk, even on a cold snowy day. You can get a winter jacket for your dog so they do not get hypothermia.
Protect Your Dog's Paws
When you let your dog out, watch them carefully if it’s cold and there is snow on the ground. Your dog’s paws can freeze, making it hard for them to walk.
Watch your dog and make sure they don’t start limping or act as if they are having a hard time walking.
And if your dog decides to just lie down out of the blue, that is a good sign they cannot walk at that moment. Numerous times over the years I have had to carry the dog back to the patio.
And if your dog decides to just lie down out of the blue, that is a good sign they cannot walk at that moment. Numerous times over the years I have had to carry the dog back to the patio.
The dog goes out from a nice warm house with hot paws and walking in the snow with bitter temperatures causes the snow to melt and refreeze on their paws. Make sure you wear gloves or you could get frostbite. Get your dog some insulated booties for their paws.
Keep Your Dog Off Frozen Lakes
When you go for a walk on a nice winter day around the lake at the park, do not let your dog off the leash where they might go chasing the geese on the ice and fall through the ice.
There are always stories on the local news of rescues of dogs falling through the ice.
Dogs can swim well, but that cold water will cause them to freeze just like humans falling through the ice. I can’t count the number of times I have seen people just let their dogs run out onto the ice of a lake in the park, knowing that ice isn’t thick enough.
Cars get cold fast in the winter, and it's dangerous to leave your dog in the car. Do not leave your dog in the car on cold days or nights. Just like during the summer, it is dangerous to leave your dog in the car unattended.
One last tip that can make your dog’s life easier during the winter: when the snow gets fairly deep, depending on the size of your dog, you can help your dog by digging a path and a spot in your dog’s favorite spot in the yard.
Dogs can swim well, but that cold water will cause them to freeze just like humans falling through the ice. I can’t count the number of times I have seen people just let their dogs run out onto the ice of a lake in the park, knowing that ice isn’t thick enough.
Don't Leave Your Dog in the Car
Cars get cold fast in the winter, and it's dangerous to leave your dog in the car. Do not leave your dog in the car on cold days or nights. Just like during the summer, it is dangerous to leave your dog in the car unattended.
Shovel a Spot For Your Dog
One last tip that can make your dog’s life easier during the winter: when the snow gets fairly deep, depending on the size of your dog, you can help your dog by digging a path and a spot in your dog’s favorite spot in the yard.
Also, make sure your dog's water dish has fresh water and isn't a frozen block of ice.
Keeping these safety tips in mind during the winter will help your dog stay healthy, happy and safe.
Here are a few other articles to keep your dog healthy:
How to Change Your Dog's Food without Making Your Dog Sick
Bones Can Be Dangerous to Your Dog's Health
About the Author
Sam Montana is a certified Food Over Medicine instructor from the Wellness Forum Health Center and certified in optimal nutrition from the Harvard T.H. Chan School of Public Health.
Copyright© 2009-2019 Sam Montana
