Melts in Your Mouth, Not in your Paws

With a Winter Storm Watch in effect it is important to think of how this weather affects our pets. Below are some dog winter safety tips to remember.

Keeping your dog inside whenever the temperatures hover around freezing. Just like humans, dogs can get frostbite, especially on their noses, ears, and tails. Even dogs with full winter coats can get cold when the temperature hovers below freezing for several days. It is best to bring your dog into the house during extremely cold weather, especially at night when temperatures tend to drop. Gracie is one lucky pup; she cuddles with us in bed every night and spends her days nice and warm inside our home.

Never let your dog off the leash on snow or ice (especially during a snowstorm) because dogs can lose their scent and easily become lost.

Make sure your dog always wears an ID tag and consider Microchipping your pet. All pets should wear collar tags imprinted with their name and the phone number of their owner, but only a microchip provides permanent ID that cannot fall off, be removed, or become impossible to read. A pet microchip creates a forever bond between you and the pet you love. Both Gracie and our cat Luke are microchipped!

When your dog comes in from outside, wipe off her legs, paws, and belly. Otherwise, she could ingest salt, antifreeze or other potentially dangerous chemicals while licking herself dry. Also, the ground doesn't need to be covered with snow for you to pay extra attention to your dog's feet on a winter walk or hike. When it is cold and wet out always take a moment to dry and clean your dog's paws to help avoid tiny cuts and cracked footpads.

Rock salt can be very dangerous to pets. The rock salt that is used to melt ice on paved surfaces may also irritate footpads which is another reason to keep your dog's paws clean. The National Animal Poison Control recommends using sand or kitty litter instead of salt. We use sand on our driveway, sidewalk, and porch. I feel more comfortable knowing it is safe for both Gracie and Luke.

Active dogs, like Gracie, need a little more food & water in the winter. Working and outdoor dogs do have increased caloric and nutrition requirements as the temperature drops. Increased protein will give your dog (and her fur) the best winter conditioning.

These are just a few dog safety winter tips to help keep our pets happy and healthy. Does anyone else have any dog winter safety tips they would like to share?

Email us at [email protected]

Comments

[Tammi]

Thank you Atticus! Glad we could help!

[Heidi Alberti & Atticus Uncensored]

Gracie, these are great tips! Came across your blog site on Twitter and glad I did.

When my brother Wilbur and I come in from the cold, after mama's done wiping and drying our feet, she plugs in our very own electric blanket. We snuggle in this cozy blankie after bath time too. We Love it! and it quickly warms us from the chill outside.

Atticus (another dogblogger)
http://www.atticusuncensored.com
"commentary to give you paws..."

[Tammi]

You are welcome Jen & Maisie! Gracie gets very upset outside when she can't find her toys under the snow. She buries her nose and tries to sniff them all out! It's quite funny to watch!

[Jen]

Thanks for the tips. Maisie loves to be rubbed down after she comes in from the outside in the winter. What I didn't think about is that dogs lose their scent in the snow. Sure it would be great to romp about, but if the area isn't enclosed I can see how a dog could get lost (or fall into a snow drift!) Maisie's appetite is ravenous in the winter. I give her an extra snack/meal at night. If I don't she let's me know about it!

Thanks!