Winterizing Your Dog

Here we are, suffering though the summer with some of the hottest temperatures in our lifetimes (or at least those of us in the Northern Hemisphere) and I decided that this was the time to talk about preparing our dogs for winter and winter weather?

No, I am not suffering from heat stroke. Winter is coming and it will be here sooner than you think. Are you and your dog prepared?

It may be early August, but Winter officially begins in a short 20 weeks from now. For some people winter weather will arrive sooner than that. Places like Jackson, WY, has a 50-50 chance of a first frost by the end of this month! There is an almost certainty that temperatures will drop below freezing by mid-September. Pet parents in New York City have only a few additional weeks to prepare.

There is no better time than the present get prepared.

Set aside some time now to inspect each and every tool and product you use for your dog. Start by inspecting your dog’s accessories and equipment. This should be done regularly throughout the year, but it is easy to overlook or forget. That is, until a leash cracks, a nipper blade needs sharpening, or a brush handle breaks off.

Leashes, collars, brushes, combs, flea combs, tick removers, and nail trimmers do not last forever, and without proper maintenance they can become hazards even before they destined for the garbage heap. Carefully inspect each for signs of wear and tear. Repair all those that can be repaired; replace those that cannot. Inspect your dog’s water and food dishes and replace those that that are damaged or no longer smooth as these can trap food and become a health hazard. Crates, runs, blankets, and crate paddings should also be inspected for loss of any structural integrity. Please, please do not overlook car restraints. When these suffer damage, they can fail when you need them the most.

Shampoos and other care products, as well as pest preventives and treatments, should be checked for expiration dates. Be the pet parent your dog thinks you are by checking the “use by” dates every time you use these consumable products.

Consider swapping your dog’s metallic leash with one that will not get quite so cold to the touch. The same goes for any muzzle your dog wears during the winter. In general, during the winter avoid materials that retain the cold. If you want your dog’s leather products to last and not crack, be sure to keep them soft with suitable care products and dry them safely (that is, away from artificial heat sources).

If your dog has been healthy and has not seen a vet in a while, now is a good time to get them in for an annual checkup instead of waiting for the Spring rush next year. Be sure to ask the staff to check your pup’s vaccine records and check that their ID chip is still in place and functioning. Remember to check that your registration and contact details on file with the chip monitoring company are up-to-date and accurate.

Is your dog a breed that requires professional grooming? Now is the time to plan the next few appointments. You do not want to get your dog cut short just before the cold weather arrives, but you certainly do not want your dog to become a mess.

Find out when the first frost is expected where you live. Then count back 4 to 6 weeks, depending on how often your dog needs grooming. Make an appointment for that date and consider asking for a slightly shorter cut to get you through the winter, while allowing time for the fur to grow in before temperatures plummet.

Count back from that appointment date an additional 4 to 6 weeks and book a second appointment as well.

If there is time, continue counting back in intervals of 4 to 6 weeks, making appointments along the way, until you reach today.

Get in the habit now of faithfully brushing your dog every day. All the grooming appointments in the world will not help if you allow your dog to get matted. And you do not want to have to book (or pay for) a shave down at the time of year when they need their fur the most!

Learn to trim your dog’s nails and get in the habit of trimming them regularly. If that proves to be too much of a challenge, no need to stress. Getting your dog’s nails trimmed during the colder months will not impact their ability to withstand the cold. You, however, might not be happy if you have to go out in the middle of winter merely for a nail trim.

If you find you have miscalculated, and at some point during the winter your dog’s fur becomes a hot mess, there is no need to panic. Talk to your groomer about an appointment to either cleanup the sanitary areas and the worst mats only or ask about options for a groom that leaves your dog “long”. You may have to pay full price for a trim and not a full groom, but that should be worth keeping them protected from the risk of getting sick for lack of fur.

One upside of living in colder climates is that once the freezing weather arrives, many pests and parasites disappear, unless there is an infestation in the home or kennel. Ticks “go to ground” and fleas outdoors die off. Dogs are also less likely to pick up water-bound parasites as most bodies of water are frozen over. The days leading up to the first frost is the perfect time of year to treat for any residual flea eggs or ticks on your dog and to treat your home (especially your dog’s bedding) for any hidden pests.

Allow your dog’s body to prepare itself for the wintry weather by exposing it to the cooler evenings and early mornings. There may be a seasonal “blowing of coat” (shedding), but once that is done, there should be less shedding and more undercoat growth (which, by the way, has more to do with the shortening of the days, and less to do with any drop in temperature). While this is happening, resist any temptation to unpack your dog’s protective wear too soon. It is the new undercoat that will help insulate your dog from the cold. You want their bodies and their new fur growth to get themselves ready for the colder days.

In fact, most dogs do not require jackets or sweaters at all. Fur is a dog’s protection and insulation from sun, heat, and cold. It is why we call it a “coat.”

Having said that, there are some breeds and some dogs who are simply not built for cold weather. Chihuahuas were bred in Mexico and are well suited for hot weather with their oversized ears, small frames, and short fur; but they are not well-suited for snow and freezing temperatures for those very same reasons. But you should acclimate these dogs to the dropping temperatures gradually, too, and for as long as possible. Young, healthy dogs, regardless of breed, generally do not need a coat to go out into 50 degrees air for a short, brisk walk. Keep the clothing on hold until the temperatures really drop and when protective wear is truly necessary. Give your dog’s body chances to acclimate as much as possible.

There is one item of “clothing” that it is worth unpacking for “practice” in advance: boots. There are differences in opinion about the use of boots for dogs during the winter. Some pet parents believe that a dog’s pads and the fur that should be allowed to grow between them in winter, are enough to protect a dog from the ice, snow and cold. Others, often citing road salt and other de-icing chemicals, opt to protect their dogs with boots. But if you opt not to wrap your dog’s paws with boots, plan to wipe off their paws after walking anywhere salt or de-icing agents may have been used. These can be toxic if your dog licks their paws and ingest them. By keeping a stack of clean, old towels by the entrance to your home, you will be able to wipe down their paws immediately upon returning from your walks. Keep a few In your car as well.

If you intend for your dog to use boots this winter, now is the time to get your dog used to wearing them.

We’ve all seen video clips on social media of dogs desperately trying to understand how they can possibly move their feet with unfamiliar foot coverings. The poor dogs look like someone attached duct tape to their feet and cannot figure out how to get them off! Do your dog a favor and give them some time in their snow boots at home before they need to go out on actual snow and ice. While many dogs adjust quickly and forget they are there, many do not. Give your dog a chance to get used to wearing properly sized protective boots around the house for a few minutes every day. Daily, slowly, increase the time. Once your dog has gotten the hang of them, start taking your dog on walks while wearing them. Here is another useful tip: the more distracted your dog is on the walk, the more likely your dog is to forget they are wearing any footwear. So, walk briskly and with intention.

Finally, now is a good time to start planning the logistics for shorter days and longer nights. Your dog still needs as much exercise. Just as you may move your fitness regime indoors to a treadmill at home or classes at a gym, think about the same for your dog. Doggy-daycare might be a smart option for the winter months. Alternatively, you could hire an experienced dog walker who knows how to handle inclement weather. If you already have a dog walker, perhaps arrange for an increased number of outings for more exercise during daylit hours. Weekends are a great time for your dog to get an extra hour or two of exercise in all but the worst inclement weather.

Let’s keep our dogs safe and healthy all year long by planning ahead.

Stay connected for suggestions to help get your dog ready for Spring and Summer.

Happy Tails!

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