Posts Tagged ‘cold weather’
Hello fellow dog lovers. I hope all of you are staying nice and warm during this good old winter season… and so are your dogs!
Depending on where you live, the winter season can mean anything extreme from below zero temperature drops, to very humid conditions. If you live in the East Coast, you are most likely currently experiencing the insanely, teeth-gritting cold weather conditions. Unless you managed to provide yourself a sweet escape and are currently surfing and vacationing with your pooch in sunny Australia, you need to be aware of how cold weather can affect your dogs health, and several other winter hazards to look out for.
Just because dogs have fur coats doesn’t mean that all of them can withstand the cold temperature. Just like us, dogs especially certain ones, are susceptible to cold temperatures. If you have puppies under six months of age, or elderly and arthritic dogs, both can be predominantly sensitive to cold temperatures. Puppies are more sensitive to cold, and as much as possible, don’t let a puppy outside in the winter. It’s more difficult for them to keep their body warm than for adult dogs. Elderly and arthritic dogs suffer because their joints are prone to stiffing which becomes a painful experience for them. Dogs who are suffering from certain diseases concerning the heart and kidney, as well as diabetes should also be kept from the cold because they find it hard to regulate their body temperature. Lastly, dog breeds that have short hair and dogs with short legs should particularly stay out from the snow, because their chests and tummies are more likely to be in contact with the snow. If the need arises, you can always let your dogs wear protective clothing from the cold. Make sure it covers the neck to the top of the tail and protects the belly.
The dogs that I have mentioned can be especially sensitive to the cold weather, but any prolonged exposure to extremely low temperatures can increase your dog’s risk for hypothermia. If you notice that your dog becoming anxious and starts shivering, whining, and moving generally slower than usual in the cold, this might be the early stage of hypothermia and you should make your way home or in a warm area as quickly as possible.
Always remember that dogs are very much like humans. They need not only physical warmth, but emotional as well! The winter time can get depressing, so keep your pets happy this season as much as they like to keep you company. Everyone can make the most out of the winter time by participating in fun winter activities, but make sure you and your dogs are well protected from the cold. ‘Til next time.
Stay toasty!