It’s really cold outside and your dog needs what I call winterizing your dog. It’s important to provide extra special care of your dog in cold weather. When you bundle up to fight the chill, you may need to do the same for your dog. They need to be protected from the cold. Here are some winterizing dog care tips.

Winterizing your dog that stays outside becomes very important when the temperature drops. Indoor dogs are used to air conditioning in the summer and heat in the winter. Dogs that live outside have no way to keep warm other than the hair on their backs.

A well-insulated dog house is one of the ways to winterize your dog and keep your outdoor dog warm. The dog house needs to be big enough to move around without producing a draft. Dogs can sleep on a bed of straw covered by a blanket. The doorway of the doghouse can be covered with plastic strips to help shield the dog from the weather. This lets your dog see out without letting the wind inside.

Your outdoor dog would love an indoor dog house that you keep in the washroom or other separate area during harsh winter weather. A dog gate will keep him out of the rest of the house if that is what concerns you. This is an alternative that keeps your dog safe from the elements and warm , dry and comfortable.

Dogs still need their walks in the wintertime. The icy cold ground can make dog feet sensitive and can be painfully cold. The soft skin of your dogs foot pads can become cracked and dry. There are dog booties on the market that can help in winterizing your dog as they can be worn during these walks to keep your dogs foot pads warm and intact.

Winterizing your dog is especially important for small breeds dogs as they are strongly affected by cold weather. They may have problems regulating their body temperature as well. Provide them with a winter coat for cold weather. I know not every one agrees with dressing dogs but dogs have been domesticated for some time now and have not been for the most part had to live in extreme cold weather. They no longer have the ability to regulate their body core. They have also become accustomed to the heat provided in the house or apartment.

Watch your dog outside and in the garage as antifreeze, windshield wiper fluid, and motor oil are dangerous to your dogs health. These items are often stored in peoples garages or sheds. If a dog gets into any of these substances, they can be fatal.

In winter when it snows people put rock salt and other ice dissolving chemicals on the ground. Dogs may lick them or step on them. They can irritate the feet and make your dog sick to the stomach from trying to lick them off. Cold weather dog care means its necessary to thoroughly clean your dogs coat and feet to remove anything he picked up from the ground before letting your dog back inside. A combination of lanolin and petroleum jelly can be used to soften the pads and protect them.

Winterizing our dog in winter was often and occasion to laugh to get you through it. He was often “clownish”. Our Yellow Labrador Retriever Baer would frown at the thought of wearing clothes in the winter or any other time. But, Baer loved snow!When the snow was fresh and soft he would rub his nose into it and roll around on top of it, becoming covered in snow. We didn’t try to stop him because he was having so much fun. Needless to say lots of snow and ice stuck to his coat and paws and into the house. We’d get the snow off quickly to get him dry and warm every time he went outside. We had to dry the floor and wash the many towels we used to get him dry. He was not a small dog , so it took a bit of time and lots of energy.

Even as the snow hardened he would try to rub his nose in it or roll into it. He was a lot of work in winter.

We would waste our time drying him off only to see him head back to see if anyone had the back door open so he could go into the yard to get back into the snow. We had no choice but to repeat the wet and drying routine all winter.

Winterizing your dog means increasing the amount of food your outdoor dog needs as they require more calories in the winter. This is mostly for outdoor dogs since they need to keep warm and run around more. You should have extra food on hand and fresh water every day. For your indoor dog, cut back on their food to avoid weight gain.

Just like people, dogs are prone to dry skin. Heaters can remove moisture from the indoor air. Winterizing your dog makes it important to keep their hair brushed and maintain a diet rich in protein and vitamins to combat dryness.

Dog clothing manufacturers have created winter wear for your dogs to keep them warm. Dressed warmly your dogs skin can retain its moisture and heat when you take him for a walk in cold weather.

Winterizing your dog is important. The cold affects them also. If you are cold outside, chances are your dog is too!