Winter Safety

If you live in a climate with cold months like we do, there's some precautions you should take to make sure that your dog stays safe and comfortable in the freezing temps.

• Dogs can indeed get frostbite and hypothermia! While some breeds are naturally equipped for cold climates, most dogs aren't. Don't leave them outside for extended periods of time and if you do go out with them, use appropriate gear for them. Some dogs need booties, jackets and/or snoods to protect them from the cold. One great place for custom made jackets and snoods is Cozy Horse (we purchased Emma's coats from this shop and love them!). Booties offer them protection from ice and sharp objects that could be buried in the snow, too, as well as giving them a better grip on icy surfaces. K9 Apparel has some really nice winter booties as well as other cold weather gear.
• Signs of hypothermia to watch for are shivering, shallow breathing, lethargy and a weak pulse. Frostbite signs include discolored skin, blisters or swelling. If you think your dog is showing any of these signs, get them to a warm location right away and seek veterinary attention.
• Beware of antifreeze! It's extremely toxic to dogs (as little as 1 tsp. can be lethal to small dogs) and since it tastes good to them, they'll readily lick it up if they come across it. If you think your dog ingested antifreeze, get them to the vet immediately.
• Salt used to melt ice is not safe for dogs or the environment. If you have icy areas that you need to melt, consider using sand or a product like Safe Paw Ice Melter. We use Safe Paw for our walkway and have been very happy with how it works.
• After walks, wipe off any areas on your dog that might have been exposed to salt. If left on, it can irritate their skin and is harmful to them if ingested.
• Check their paw pads on a regular basis to make sure they're not cracked or irritated. If they are, a great vegan paw balm can be found at Bubble Genius.
• If you don't put booties on them, keep the fur between their toes trimmed short. This will help to prevent snow from getting lodged between their toes, which can become painful for them.
• Make sure they are completely dry after bathing before letting them outside or use a dry shampoo during the colder months.
• Don't let them eat snow. It can cause their stomach to become upset and you don't know what could be in it.
• Be careful around frozen bodies of water. Keep them on a leash to make sure that they don't run out on the water, which will put them at risk of falling through the ice.
• Supervise them around heaters and fireplaces to make sure that they don't get too close and get burnt.
• Don't let them lick metal surfaces. Just like humans, dogs can get their tongues stuck on these surfaces in freezing temps. If they do get their tongue stuck, try to keep them calm and pour warm water over their tongue. This will unstick them from the metal.

Have a happy, warm and safe winter!