Midwest Cane Corso In Action, LLC

Wishing my girl 🐾 a very happy birthday 🥳 with many years to come!!!

One week old today 🐾

Is everyone prepared for this winter storm?
What about your dogs?

Risks of winter cold for your dog

Being outside is great for a dog’s physical and mental health. Walking, running, sniffing, are all activities that help keep dogs happy and healthy.

But what should we do when it’s cold outside? When do the risks of spending time outside in the cold with your dog outweigh the benefits?

A temperature that feels comfortable to one dog might make another dog shiver. There are a few variables that affect how dogs respond to the cold and how cold is too cold for a pup.

* dog coat type- Dogs with thick, double-layered coats tend to be the most cold-tolerant. Many of these breeds originated in northern climates and have attributes that allow them to thrive when temperatures drop

- However, dogs with exceptionally thin coats, may suffer in the cold and tend to do better when it’s warmer outside. If your dog has a very thin coat, you will want to consider bundling them up before heading outside.

* Coat color- On a clear day, black, brown, or other dark-coated dogs can absorb significant amounts of heat from sunlight, keeping them warmer in comparison to dogs with light-colored coats.

* Dog size

* Dog weight

* Dog conditioning

* Dog age and health

Other things that can affect temperature for a dog are:

* Wind chill

* Dampness

* Cloud cover

* Activity

* Environment- some places get way colder than others. Know where you live the potential of the dangers that lurk during winter where you live.

Types of cold weather injuries your dog can get during winter:

- Hypothermia

- Paw injuries/chemical burns

- Frostbite

- Pulled muscles

- Cold related illnesses

How to keep dogs warm and protected:

- Make sure that you look at the weather and forecast before heading outside with your dog. Know when the temperature is safe for your dog and when it maybe unsafe or needing some warm gear to be put on the dog.

- Make sure to desensitize your dog to wearing winter clothing and dog booties if needed. So that when it is needed it doesn’t stress your dog out and make going out not a fun activity for them.

- Keep them inside when it is too cold to be safely outside. And make sure to limit outdoor activities to just quick potty breaks. And if needed at least booties to protect your dog’s paws from the damaging cold even during potty breaks.

- If you own a dog that gets cold easily then buying them winter jackets and winter dog booties can help prevent your dog from being cold and protect them from becoming injured during the winter months.

- When temperatures allow it make sure that when you take your dog out that they are wearing what they need to keep them warm. Every dog is different so pay attention to your dog.

- Make sure that when you do go for walks you avoid areas of high salt or ice melts. If you do encounter those things make sure your dogs are wearing booties or make sure you wipe your dog’s paws down to avoid any chemical burns and or upset tummies.