Keeping Fido Warm this Winter
Some dogs barely notice the lower temperatures, while others can hardly go outside without shivering. Older dogs and puppies have trouble dealing with the chill, as well as dogs with health issues. How can you help your furry friend stay warm this holiday season?
Keep your dog indoors as much as possible. While dogs have to go outside to do their business, they don't have to spend long periods of time outdoors. If your dog is sensitive to the cold wait by the door while he is outside. That way, he won't have to stay outdoors any longer than absolutely necessary.
If your dog is a short haired variety that always seems cold indoors or out, consider purchasing him a doggie sweater or jacket. There are many different types on the market today and you will be sure to find one that works for your dog.
Buy your dog a good set of booties. A dog's temperature is regulated through his feet as much as his panting. Keeping his feet warm will help his body stay warm. But be aware that a lot of dogs won't tolerate anything on their feet. It may take some time to get your dog use to them.
Have a bed for your pet that is at least three inches above the ground. This will give your pet a buffer space between the cold floor and his sleeping place. Many dog beds come with the ability to heat them, either through an electric blanket or a warming disk. Be careful with an electric blanket style, you usually can't use them outdoors.
If your dog has to be outside for long periods of time, buy him a good dog house. There are many kinds of houses on the market and some even have insulation or a heater so your furry friend can stay warm if he has to stay outside longer than four hours at a time.
Use a hot water bottle to help keep your dog warm. Place the full bottle beneath your dog's bed to his bed toasty. Another product you can try is a microwavable heating disk, which you can find at most pet stores. Just heat in the microwave and place under your dog's bed for hours of warmth.
During the winter months, your dog will use more calories staying warm. Feeding your dog extra food will let him gain weight, which will help keep him warm during colder months.
Take care of your friend's skin during the winter months. Make sure he has plenty of water, a high quality food that helps keep his skin and coat healthy, and only wash your dog when necessary. Your dog's skin has oils that moisturize his skin and these oils can be removed during a bath causing dry skin. If you must wash him, use an oatmeal-based shampoo and conditioner. Don't forget to give him a good brushing afterward to remove all of the loose hair.
Take care of your furry friend's paws. Be sure to clean your dog's pads after being outside to keep the ice and salt from damaging your dog's feet. Keep the hairs between your dog's toes trimmed to reduce ice from collecting between them. You can also put petroleum jelly on the surface of his pads prior to walking outdoors. This will help keep his paws moisturized.
The weather outside may be frightful, but it doesn't have to be for your four-legged friend. Keeping him warm during the winter months isn't difficult as long as you are willing to take the extra effort to keep him warm.
Related Tags: dogs, cold, winter, warmth, fido
Dawn Arkin is a freelance author of articles and fiction. This article has been submitted in affiliation with http://www.Facsimile.Com/ which is a site for Fax Machines.
Your Article Search Directory : Find in ArticlesRecent articles in this category:
- Dog Barking - The Message Behind The Noise
Dogs use a wide range of noises to communicate their feelings about everything. If you have a vocal - How To House Train A Dog
The keys to successful house training are confinement, training, timing and praise. A dog does not n - Optimizing K-9 Health And Performance
Every Working Dog handler knows that "Failure to Thrive" and "Hip Dysplasia" are big issues for Shep - Training Aids for Your Special Dog
If you are one of the many dog owners of today that are having a hard time controlling your canine p - The Separation Anxiety Dog - How to Protect Your Dog From Home When You Leave Home
If you've got a dog that suffers from dog separation anxiety then you are probably afraid to leave y - Dog Life Jackets-Don't Let Your Dog Become Another Tragic Statistic
Providing easy visibility and high buoyancy, a dog life jacket or dog life vest is essential for the - Beardie Sam Goes Missing (4)
It was a freezing January morning - one when the earth truly stood hard as iron, the water like a st - What Genetic Diseases Should Goldendoodle Breeders Be Testing For In The Parents?
What genetic diseases should goldendoodle breeders be testing for in the parents?Goldendoodles are s - Benefits of Homemade Dog Food
Homemade dog food is exactly what the name implies - dog food that is made from home. There are man - Homemade Dog Food - Treat Your Dog to Recipes Fit for a King
It's just a fact - dogs enjoy people food. Dogs love to eat steak, hamburgers, hot dogs, pizza and
Most viewed articles in this category:
- Is An Anatolian Shepherd Dog Puppy The Right Choice For Me And My Family?
The Anatolian Shepherd Dog was developed as a large dog to guard livestock. She is powerful, and rug - Dog Training Equipment
Dog training is a method of teaching your dog to perform certain activities through obeying your ord - Your Dog And New Year's Resolutions
The New Year is a time for making resolutions, things that you want to change to make the year a bri - I Am Thinking of Buying a New Puppy
When you bring home your new puppy, they are so cute and playful, jumping around and getting into ev - Chihuahuas Get a Solid "YES" Vote From Paula Abdul and Other Celebrities
She may not be able to put up with Simon Cowell and his sharp-tongued criticisms on American Idol, b - How to Raise Your Dog
So you have decided that you want a pet and have chosen a dog as the animal you would like to share - Dog Air Travel - Tips for Traveling by Airplane With Your Lovable Dog
Luckily for dog owners, these animals travel by air better than cats. If the dog is accustomed to ca - Dog Behavior Problem: What To Do About It?
Many of us have lovely dogs, which are like a member of the family. Everyone in the family loves the - How To Keep Your Dog Free of Fleas
Fleas are more than just disgusting; they will carry several serious diseases, parasites and even we - Top 5 dog behaviour training tips
Hello fellow dog trainers and people alike. Now, a lot of people have contacted me recently to ask m