Canine Cold Weather Caution

During cold weather you must use caution with your dogs for many reasons.  The snow, ice,  sleet can cause your dog to be cold and chilled or discomfort, pain and injury to your pet's feet.  There is a misconception that the pads of a dog's foot is tougher then the foot of a person.  This isn't true, the pad of a dog is not any tougher then the area on the bottom of you foot behind your big toe.  Dog's also grow hair between the pads of their toes and foot.  This hair, on many breeds, continuously grows.  The hair can collect snow resulting in a hard ball of ice causing discomfort and pain.  Or this hair can become matted, forming an uncomfortable mass.  Salting, cinders, and de-icers can be very caustic to the parts of a dogs feet causing sores.  Because of these products, you should take the following precautions.  Your groomer should clip the hair of the pads during each appointment. Cut walks short if you see your dog is having difficulty walking.  If you want to spend longer periods of time with your dog in the cold and snow, purchase a coat, sweater, or boots to protect their feet and keep them warm.  After coming in from a walk, wash or wipe the dog's paws to remove salt, cinders and de-icers.  There are pet safe salt type products on the market that you can use instead.  If you do see sores, have your dog checked by a vet for treatment.

Another problem with this winter weather is dog's becoming sick from licking their feet and coat.  The salt and cinders can make dogs ill.  Be careful when adding anti-freeze to your car.  Many dogs have become very sick and died from licking anti-freeze.  This product has a sweetness that entices dogs to lick the area.  If your dog has ingested any anti-freeze take your dog to the vet immediately!

In my last blog, I wrote about caring for dogs wearing coats and sweaters.  Dogs that don't have to wear a coat or sweater need grooming after playing in the snow.  Some dogs will have snow that clings and clumps to their coats.  Make sure you dry your dog well after playtime in the snow.  If the dog has a large amount of snow clumps there are a few ways to remove the snow. Don't try pulling it off-this will hurt and pull out the hair. Wrap the dog in a towel  to allow the snow and ice to melt, place the dog in a tub of warm water or rinse with warm water (the snow is going to drop the temperature of the warm water so you may need to add more warm water and drain the cold) Don't use hot water-you can scald your dog.  For large dogs, put them in a warm room like a laundry or bathroom with a blanket or towels until the snow melts.  Once the snow is gone towel dry your dog.  For long coated dogs, blot or squeeze lightly, don't rub.  Rubbing will just mat the dogs coat.  Short coated dogs can be given a good rub.  Then you can use a blow dryer BUT use with caution.  Blow dryers for people get very hot, you must use the warm setting and continuously move the air around the dog.  Don't concentrate on one area or you could cause a burn.  As you blow dry, you must brush-especially with longer coated dogs and breeds that mat.  Use the correct brush...curly coated breeds (Poodles, Bichons etc), double coated breeds (Collies, Shepherds etc) use a slicker brush.  Long coated breeds that are not matted or knotted and kept in a long coat (Afghans, Yorkies, ShihTzus etc) use a pin brush-if you have this breed clipped use a slicker.  Short coated dogs (Dobermans, Pointers etc) use a stiff bristle brush or hounds glove.  Comb longer coated dogs after brushing, just to make sure you have brushed thoroughly and have removed all knots.  If you don't keep up with the coat it will become knotted and matted.  The only remedy to a matted coat is to shave it down.

Cold weather can be fun with your dog  Make sure you are keeping you pet safe and happy during this time of year.  Hope these tips help you.  If you have any dog questions-ask, I'd be more then happy to help!