Top Winter Dog Care Tips for a Cozy Season

Special Care for Pet Care During Winter

Especially for small dogs, it's crucial to keep them warm during the cold season.

Many pet owners love to dress up their beloved dogs, making them look like adorable little babies. As the weather grows colder, one might wonder: Can a dog's fur really withstand the chill of winter?

In fact, just like humans, small dogs and puppies will shiver when they feel cold. If their body temperature drops too low, it can even be lifethreatening. Therefore, for shorthaired small dogs, it's best to limit their outdoor time during winter. If they must go out, they should be dressed in a little coat to stay warm. However, larger sled dogs like Huskies, Samoyeds, and Alaskan Malamutes don't need extra clothing, as they come from colder climates.

The dog's belly is the most susceptible to the cold, and it's the most vulnerable part during winter. When choosing a coat, pay attention to the style to ensure your dog's little belly stays warm.

Winter temperature fluctuations can have a significant impact on dogs

With indoor heating and cold outdoor temperatures, the temperature difference between indoors and outdoors can cause discomfort in a dog's respiratory system. Closing the windows can lead to poor indoor air circulation, further disrupting the dog's body's regulation. This can make outdoor activities more likely to cause a dog to catch a cold. Therefore, it's best to maintain a constant indoor temperature. If there's a significant temperature difference between indoors and outdoors, let your dog acclimate for a while in a hallway or a wellventilated area before going for a comfortable walk.

Feeding your dog enough food

For dogs to have stronger resistance to the cold in winter, it's essential to provide them with adequate nutrition and energy. Dogs that are frequently outdoors need more food in cold weather. Provide them with highquality dog food and feed them more frequently to conserve more heat against the cold. However, for dogs that stay indoors and rarely go outside, less food is needed during winter to prevent obesity due to reduced activity levels.

Pay attention to winter hygiene

Dogs still need baths in winter, especially for those that go outdoors frequently. Their fur can tangle and accumulate mud and snow. After a bath, ensure their fur is completely dry before they go outside. If it's not convenient to use water for a bath, consider using petspecific dry shampoo. Make sure to brush off all the powder thoroughly.

In addition to regular grooming, which not only makes the dog's fur smooth and better at keeping warm but also untangles knots, removes dust and dead hair to promote skin metabolism, it also allows you to discover any lumps or injuries hidden beneath their thick fur in time.

It's also important to trim the fur around your dog's paw pads. Shortening the fur helps prevent snow and ice from accumulating on their paws. After each outing, wipe their paws dry to avoid issues like cracked paw pads, inflammation, and infections caused by snow, sand, and mud.

Regular health checkups

Some pet owners may not pay close attention to their pet's health and only take them to the vet when they show signs of illness. This not only costs more but can also cause the pet unnecessary suffering and, in some cases, even lead to the loss of life due to delayed treatment. Therefore, it's recommended to follow the doctor's advice and have regular health checkups for your beloved pets. This is especially true for older pets who should have regular checkups.

Tip: Click on "Winter Dog Care Tips" to learn more about how to take care of your dog during the cold season.