Winter Care Tips For Dogs

Pet Care

oi-Anwesha

By Anwesha Barari

Tuesday, September 20, 2011, 18:19

Winter care for dogs differs with their breed. There are some dogs that cope well with cold weather and there are others that don't. You have to know the preference and biological constitution of your dog to decide upon the kind of pet care is appropriate for your dog. As they say prevention is better than cure so if you have earlier experience of problems then it is better to take preventive winter care measures for dogs.

Here are a few dog care tips that should be useful.

Dog Winter Care Tips:

• If your dog's kennel is outside your house then you need to move it in for the winters. This is usually not the case in modern homes.

• Just like you, your dog feels cold at night. It might even urge them to pee in their sleep. You have to give them a blanket to keep them warm. Usually dogs are loving animals who like to snuggle up next to you in cold weather. If you don't want to have them in your bed then make them a cosy and comfortable bed of their own.

• Elderly dogs and little puppies are more susceptible to cold than young dogs in the prime of their health.

• If your dog is very fury like golden retriever then it has more protection against cold. However, if your dogs coat is cut short or it is not a particularly furry variety then you need to pay extra attention to your dog in cold weather.

• Make sure your dog wears warm clothes while going out for a stroll or exercising. Pugs for example respond well to warm clothing. If their fur is short or less they need that extra augmentation to be protected against cold weather. It is necessary for pet health care.

• If you are giving your dog a bath in the winters then blow dry their hair immediately. Dampness is very dangerous for dogs as the phlegm will accumulate in their lungs. If your dog is scared of blow dryers use a towel to give then a thorough wipe and don't let them out for sometime.

• If your dog loves to go out doors and spend a lot of time there then your dog's diet needs to be changed for winter. Give your dog extra calories to produce heat in their body. Feed more meat to your dog as a winter care measure. Give them only warm milk and no cold things like ice creams even if they drool over it.

• Not all dogs need winter care. If you have a Saint Bernard then they will actually be 'warm' in the Indian summer. Do not suffocate them with winter coats and blankets. A Chihuahua on the other hand will need to be wrapped up in warm clothes for protection.

These dog care tips will help you understand your dog's cold weather problems better.