While some dogs are bred to thrive in the cold weather, most dogs are
not as hardy in the freezing temperatures as we may think. Their paws
are sensitive to bitter conditions and road salt. In sub zero
conditions they are subject to the dangers of frostbite.
Just as our skin dries out in the winter, so too does the skin of our pets. Making sure our dogs stay hydrated and are supplemented with vitamins will go along way to maintaining healthy skin.
Two important vitamins that support cellular strength are Vitamin E and B-complex vitamins. Keeping their tissues strong, will support them from the inside out! 5-30mg daily for all the vitamins in the B complex group and 50-400 IU of vitamin E per day. Dosage depends upon your dogs weight and individual needs. Consult with your vet before starting a supplemental program.
2. Support their Coat
Fatty-acid supplements will help your dog grow and thick and therefore protective coat. You need to plan ahead though, and start supplementing at the end of summer so they have a thick, lush coat by the time those winter winds roll in. However, no amount of fatty-acids will create a thick hair coat in a breed of dog that is thin-coated.
3. Warm Coats
To help keep them warm and dry, use a sweater or a coat. This is especially important in those thin-coated breeds. Their coats should fit snuggly while allowing freedom of movement. If the coat is too big, cold air will travel between the coat and their skin and of coarse if the coat is too tight, it will make it difficult to move and possibly cut off circulation.
4. Increase Calories
Staying warm requires more energy. Be certain to increase the amount of food they are given. Each dogs caloric intake is different and dependent upon their activities. Adding flaxseed oil or olive oil will also help.
5. Dry Coats = Warm Dogs
Keep your dogs hair coat free of mats. Matted coats take longer to dry. Wet feet and wet coats will cause your dog to feel colder. Their coats also take longer to dry in colder weather. Keep the hair between their pads trimmed in the winter to help them dry faster and reduce the chances of snow getting packed in them
While many of our pets love to romp and play in the newly fallen snow, remember to monitor how long they are outside, keep their immunes system strong, their skin and hair coat dry and healthy and increase their caloric intake as needed.
Signs Your Pet May Be Cold
- Extremely cold ears, feet or tail (remains cold even after spending time inside)
- Shivering
- Lethargic
- Biting at feet or tail
5 Ways to Keep Your Pets Warm
1. Support their SkinJust as our skin dries out in the winter, so too does the skin of our pets. Making sure our dogs stay hydrated and are supplemented with vitamins will go along way to maintaining healthy skin.
Two important vitamins that support cellular strength are Vitamin E and B-complex vitamins. Keeping their tissues strong, will support them from the inside out! 5-30mg daily for all the vitamins in the B complex group and 50-400 IU of vitamin E per day. Dosage depends upon your dogs weight and individual needs. Consult with your vet before starting a supplemental program.
2. Support their Coat
Fatty-acid supplements will help your dog grow and thick and therefore protective coat. You need to plan ahead though, and start supplementing at the end of summer so they have a thick, lush coat by the time those winter winds roll in. However, no amount of fatty-acids will create a thick hair coat in a breed of dog that is thin-coated.
3. Warm Coats
To help keep them warm and dry, use a sweater or a coat. This is especially important in those thin-coated breeds. Their coats should fit snuggly while allowing freedom of movement. If the coat is too big, cold air will travel between the coat and their skin and of coarse if the coat is too tight, it will make it difficult to move and possibly cut off circulation.
4. Increase Calories
Staying warm requires more energy. Be certain to increase the amount of food they are given. Each dogs caloric intake is different and dependent upon their activities. Adding flaxseed oil or olive oil will also help.
5. Dry Coats = Warm Dogs
Keep your dogs hair coat free of mats. Matted coats take longer to dry. Wet feet and wet coats will cause your dog to feel colder. Their coats also take longer to dry in colder weather. Keep the hair between their pads trimmed in the winter to help them dry faster and reduce the chances of snow getting packed in them
While many of our pets love to romp and play in the newly fallen snow, remember to monitor how long they are outside, keep their immunes system strong, their skin and hair coat dry and healthy and increase their caloric intake as needed.