Snow happens – and when it does, you and your pet need to be ready for it. Winter can introduce some pretty unique pet risks we don’t consider during the rest of the year. Head outdoors without considering them and you may find your pup suffering or struggling more than he’s having fun.
This winter, we want you and furry friend to have the best time ever.
That’s why we put together this easy printable pet winterization checklist; it’s loaded with common-sense strategies and tips to get you both through the winter. We start with a quick reference checklist you can print off and keep nearby to ensure winter safety. In the sections after, we explain each checklist item and tell you exactly what you have to do to avoid being ice-olated and happy until spring comes around again.
Winter time is full of dangers for dogs. While some are obvious, others may not be as apparent. Here are some quick tips for keeping your dog safe this winter:
Check for Extreme Temperatures
Temperatures throughout the United States and Canada have been absolutely frigid – as low as zero or even less in some cases. Before you head outside with your dog, check the temperature and make a judgement call on whether it’s wise. Anything under 20 Fahrenheit is cause for short excursions rather than long hours outside.
Don’t forget that wind chill plays a role in outdoor ambient temperature. If the thermostat only says 35 Fahrenheit, but the windchill puts it at 20 Fahrenheit, going outside may still be risky. Moisture, rain, and snow can also exacerbate the cold.
Wipe Your Dogs Paws
When you return from a walk with your dog or when they have just been outside to potty, always make sure to wipe their paws with a slightly damp towel. During the winter, especially when it snows or ices, the salts that are put down to melt the ice are harmful to a dogs paws. Their paws can also chap. If you notice any chapping, lightly coat the paw with petroleum jelly to help keep moisture in.
Watch Out For Chemicals
During the winter time, many people begin changing their antifreeze in their cars. Dogs have a tendency to lap up these puddles when left uncleaned in the driveway. Even a small amount of these chemicals are extremely harmful to dogs. They will cause renal problems that can lead to damage to the dog’s kidneys and even death.
Don’t Leave Your Dog in the Car
When you travel with your dog make sure not to leave them unattended in a vehicle for any period of time. In the summer most people understand their vehicle becomes to hot and turns into an oven, however, a lot of people do not realize that during the winter the car will become a refrigerator. Cold temperatures are just as dangerous for dogs as hot temperatures
Grow Your Dogs Hair Out Longer
Let your dog’s hair grow a little longer in the winter if possible to help them stay warm. Short haired dogs can benefit from wearing a sweater or dog coat while outside to protect them from freezing temperatures. When you bathe the dog make sure they are completely dry before allowing them outside.
Recognize the Symptoms of Hypothermia
While it may be difficult to detect frost bite in dogs, hypothermia is detectable. If you think your dog has either, contact a vet immediately. These signs are all dangers for dogs. Signs of hypothermia:
- Whining
- Shivering
- Seeming anxious
- Moving slow
- Weak
- Burrowing into warm places
Stay Indoors During Extreme Weather
Is the weather especially frightful? Consider calling it a day and staying inside. Extreme temperatures, blizzards, ice storms, hail storms, and other serious winter weather events can rapidly make your dog cold, wet, and miserable. In the worst of the worst weather, you can even address potty time by keeping a faux grass pee pad in the garage.
Consider Breed Hardiness & Age
Winter affects each dog breed differently; a large, winter-bred dog like a Malamute will do much better in cold weather than a tiny little miniature poodle. You should always consider your dog’s breed information and how likely they are to become cold before you play outdoors. Generally, the smaller and more shorthaired the dog, the more quickly they are to become cold. Age – young or old – also makes dogs particularly susceptible.
Allocate More Food for Winter Activities
Exercising in cold weather burns more calories. To that end, you should slightly increase your dog’s diet in proportion with how much he exercises and how long he spends outside. Monitor your dog’s Body Condition Score, or BCS, and adjust his food up or down by 10 percent as needed. You can also choose a food with a slightly higher protein to keep him warm and snug in winter.
Keep Dogs Leashed in Cold Weather
It’s a delightful sight to see a pup leap and bound through powder snow, but unless you’re within a fenced in area, it isn’t necessarily safe to let him free. It takes only a second for your pup to become spooked and run – and getting lost in the winter is even more dangerous.
Use Doggy Jackets & Booties
Heading out? Consider putting a jacket and/or booties on your dog. A warm down-filled jacket can go a long way to keeping a tiny puppy warm, while booties will successfully protect the feet. If you use booties, just be sure to try them at home first – sometimes dogs need a bit of time to get used to them.
Protect Delicate Paws From Ice & Salt
Booties protect the paws, but they aren’t for every dog. If your dog doesn’t like them, coat his paw in AKC’s homemade paw balm instead. Made from beeswax and soothing emollients, these balms create a protective waterproof barrier between your dog’s paw and the ground. This prevents ice buildup and salt burn.
Keep Antifreeze Stored Away From Pets
Antifreeze is important for winter drivers, but unfortunately, it’s also highly flavorful and poisonous for dogs and cats. A dog that drinks even a few splashes can suffer from kidney failure and even death. Always keep antifreeze stored in a locked cabinet and clean spills up immediately.
Use Pet-friendly Snow & Ice Chemicals
Using salt on your driveway? It can be hard on paws. It’s better to use pet-friendly chemical solutions that melt ice without harming tender tootsies. Products containing modified crystalline carbonyl diamide and eco-safe glycol may be slightly more expensive, but they do the job without hurting Fido’s feet.
Always Provide Outside/Backyard Shelter
Whether you have a fenced-in backyard or a giant farm your dog roams, she should always be able to access shelter easily in the winter. This could be a heated barn, a doggie door, a heated doghouse, or something else entirely – as long as she can come in when the cold becomes too much. Dogs who stay outside for too long can experience frostbite and hypothermia.
Block Off Fireplaces & Space Heaters
We’ve talked quite a bit about the cold, but we haven’t talked about is indoor heating risks like fireplaces, candles, space heaters, and other potentially flammable sources. It takes a dog only seconds to stumble and fall into a fireplace or brush up against a space heater and suffer serious burns.
See the Vet if You Suspect Issues
Your most important skill of all – know when to see the vet. If you suspect your dog is losing weight, has sore paws, or may have experienced frostbite, don’t let it wait. Schedule an appointment with your vet immediately and have it looked at. Your dog’s health, happiness, and winter fun depends entirely on your willingness to be proactive.