Keeping your Pet Warm and Safe in Cold Weather!

Brought to you by the AKC GoodDog! Helpline – the AKC’s 7-day-a-week training support service
By Hilarie Erb, AKC GoodDog! Helpline Trainer

The first official day of winter is December 21, but cold weather doesn’t wait! Winter-like temperatures have already arrived for many people and their dogs.

Most canines love cool and even cold weather, and generally, it comes with fewer risks than extremely hot weather. But there are still things you should do to keep your best four-legged friends safe and warm.

Weather Safety

Dogs built for the cold, like Siberian Huskies and St. Bernards, are happy to spend hours outside in the snow, while very small dogs and dogs with little or no hair should not be out in the cold any longer than necessary, especially without the protection of a coat to keep them warm.

Pay extra attention to your dog’s feet. If paws have lots of hair, snow and ice will accumulate in painful clumps between the toes. Dipping the paws into a tub of lukewarm water is the quickest and least painful way to remove any ice between toes. Keeping hair between toes trimmed will also help to prevent this. You might also use a balm designed for dog’s paws. This will help to repel ice and chemicals and make those feet feel better after being out in the cold.

Furry dogs without smooth coats may also get painful clumps of snow built up under their bellies and armpits. Don’t forget to check when your dog comes inside from the snow. Use a hair dryer, on a low setting, to get these off!

Seasonal Products

Another concern is ice melt products. There are several brands that are safe for pets, but if you are walking your dog away from home you won’t know what has been used. Avoid places where you see it on sidewalks and to be extra safe, wash your dog’s paws in warm soapy water when you return home.

Booties are another option. Some dogs do well with them; others not so much! They may be easier to fit on larger dogs, and it will take some conditioning to get your dog to wear them happily.

Does your dog need a coat? We love the opportunity to dress our canines in the latest winter fashions, and many dogs will be grateful for the extra warmth. Above 45 degrees, most dogs do not need any extra protection and may be better off without it. But cold-averse breeds, say Italian Greyhounds, sighthounds with little hair and body fat, toy breed, and senior dogs will appreciate a warm coat. Read Does My Dog Need a Winter Coat? for more advice on winter wear for dogs.

Outdoor Dogs

Special care must be taken for dogs who live mostly outdoors. Hardy, well-furred breeds can do just fine; they often prefer being outside. But even a big strong Anatolian Shepherd needs a warm, wind-proof shelter to rest in while guarding his flock and a source of water that won’t freeze. Ample clean straw bedding will help the dog stay warm and a heated water dish will ensure a drinkable supply of water.

If you have a senior dog, even a northern breed one, know that he or she may have a harder time staying warm when it’s cold outside. Seniors may benefit from a heated bed, even indoors. Dogs are stoic and it’s not always easy to tell when they are uncomfortable.

Winter can be a lot of fun for humans and their dogs, but dogs don’t always know when to quit when they are having fun. Enjoy the snow and cold with your best friend but keep a careful eye out for signs that it’s time to go inside and warm up by the fire.

For more tips and advice on training your dog, join the AKC GoodDog! Helpline, a seven-day-a-week telephone support service staffed by experienced dog trainers: www.akcgooddoghelpline.org.