Winterize Your Pets!

As I am writing this, the wind is howling outside my door, and the temperature is about 10 below zero with windchill factored in. If it is too cold for you...then most likely, it is too cold for your pets as well!

So which dogs handle cold better? Labrador Retrievers, Golden Retrievers, German Shepherds, Huskies and American Eskimo's are all breeds that handle cold weather very well. That doesn't mean that in extreme temperatures like we are having now, they won't need a little extra help...like hay in their dog houses for example. Breeds that don't do well in weather like we are having now are Boxers, Chihuahuas, Miniature Pinschers, Smooth Coated Rat Terriers, Pitt Bulls, and several other breeds that have smooth coats. They will definitely need more protection than just hay...such as sweaters or coats. The best thing you can do for these breeds is to bring them inside during frigid weather! In temperatures like we are having now, they won't last long outside, even with a sweater! Like I said, if it's too cold for you, even with a sweater, it's too cold for many of these dogs too!

One other thing to remeber is those chemicals you use to treat ice. Salt, and other types of ice melt can have adverse effects on your pets if they lick their paws after they have walked through them. You can combat this by having them wear dog booties, or be sure to wipe their paws down with a cloth after they come inside.

If your pet resides indoors, protect the animals feet when you take him outside in sub zero weather. He is not accustomed to the freezing ground. You can provide them with shoes or spray PAM on their feet. The PAM seals their feet, locks out the cold and prevents their feet from cracking.

If your is an outdoor pet, ensure your animal has a continuous supply of fresh water and an adequate, daily food supply. Placing the water inside an enclosed area will prevent it from freezing. A light bulb placed near the bowl will also help to prevent the water from freezing. Avoid metal bowls, which freeze faster than plastic bowls. And remember, dogs will need more food than normal in extremely cold weather to help keep their metabolic rate up and enable them to stay warmer.

Finally, here are a few tips regarding appropriate bedding for your outside dogs:

Thick Pad with Cedar Chips or Shredded Newspaper:
One form of winter bedding dog owners may choose is a thick pad, with a washable cover, containing cedar chips or shredded newspaper, Cedar chips can irritate a dog's skin and may cause an allergic reaction in some animals. If a dog frequently chews on items, this type of bedding may not be a good option because of the danger of chips or paper ingestion.

Blanket or Quilt:
Many dog owners may utilize a blanket or a quilt as winter bedding for their dog. Dog owners must ensure the blanket or quilt does not get wet with water or ice. A wet blanket or quilt may retain water making a dog colder. Specialty stores now sell heated dog blankets.

Straw or Hay:Straw or hay provides a good bedding option for dogs as it allows moisture to evaporate and both are relatively inexpensive. However, like other types of bedding, straw or hay needs frequent changing as it may harbor pests or other insects and can also become wet. If unchanged, straw or hay may become moldy which can lead to respiratory or skin problems in dogs.

If you aren't sure you have a cold weather breed dog, you can follow this link, and see if yours in on the list!

http://www.dogbreedcenter.com/cold-weather-dogs-image-gallery.htm