It's cold outside, possibly snowing and you want to make sure your pet is fully equipped to face the winter season. It also means you need to be sure whether your pet is cozy or cold. But if you follow these 7 tips, we assure that you and your pet will stay warm and toasty throughout winter!
1. Cover Up
Going outside for a morning stroll with your pet? Or maybe travelling? Some breeds have a short coat and cannot handle cold weather, consider getting him a coat or sweater with a high collar or with coverage from the base of the tail to the belly. Need suggestions? We have the gear to make sure your pet is warm and ready to strut their stuff with you.
Dog's paw pads are a sensitive area, and it's especially vulnerable during winter. One of the biggest dangers to pet paws is the salt used to melt ice; this can irritate their paws and sometimes cause burns. Dogs left in the cold for long periods of times are also at risk for frostbite on paws. Therefore it is crucial to either cover up their paws with booties, or take special care for paw protection by applying one of these products before going out of the house.
On long winter nights most dogs usually spend a lot of time sleeping and resting. Help them rest with an orthopedic bed and pad. For those extra chilly days, you can also opt to get a heated pad or bed to keep them cozy. Warm beds also provide pets suffering from arthritis or elderly pets extra protection against the cold floor.
Winter is the time when humans are susceptible to weight gain, pets are no different. Due to the cold weather, pets tend to stay indoors and don't get enough physical activity or exercise. So it is important to maintain a pet's weight to ease pressure on joints and their skeletal frame. Check out some of the treats and food to curb their hunger without adding a lot of calories.
Pets can get dehydrated during winter, especially if their water has been left out in the cold for too long or turned into ice. Heated or Thermal water bowls prevents water from freezing into ice; some can even keep water drinkable all the way down to 20° F below zero without freezing.
Cold weather can aggravate arthritis and stiffen joints. One way to keep joints healthy and lubricated is by using joint supplements. Winter is especially hard on people and dogs that have been diagnosed with arthritis, so the following over the counter supplements help keep them active during cold weather. Your veterinarian may prescribe an NSAID which is complemented by the joint supplements listed below.
Just as it is with humans, winter and cold weather causes dull and dry skin. Pets also face similar problems; winter weather can lead to dull coats and dry skin in your pets. It is also important to keep your pet's skin and coat healthy to prevent excessive shedding during the winter months. These products can help keep your pet's coat radiant and skin healthy.
