You've probably already seen a dog wearing a coat or a sweater. Do you think it's ridiculous? However, despite their coat, many dogs can suffer from the cold with the arrival of winter.
How do I know if my dog is cold?
Each dog has a different tolerance to cold. It is therefore essential to take into account some parameters. Although it is useful to know the outside temperature, it is not the first indicator to take into account. Your dog's behavior will be the best sign to know if the temperature is too low for them. If your dog is reluctant to go outside, if they walk with their head down or if they shake, they are definitely cold.
There are other factors to take into account:
- Their age
- Their breed
- Their coat type
Puppies, older dogs, small dogs and short-haired dogs are more sensitive to cold, so it is important to monitor their behavior.
You may have observed these changes in their behavior... But how to warm them up? You can equip your dog with a sweater, a jacket or a coat, the idea being to protect them as much as possible from the cold on the most sensitive parts (just like us 😉).
How to choose the best equipment for your dog?
There are different types of clothes to warm up our furry ones: sweaters, jackets, raincoats, parkas, down jackets...
In order to make the best choice for your pet, you must first choose a garment in which they will feel comfortable. Your dog must be able to move freely and normally. If you can observe a discomfort or a change in their gait, it means that the garment does not suit them.
To avoid these inconveniences, you must make sure that the garment is adapted to the size and the body of your pet: it must cover the back and the belly, without being too short or too long. While not being too heavy and for practicality, choose a model that is easy to put on, so that putting on the garment does not become a punishment. Remember also to choose strong ties for your most active doggies 🐶
What if it snows?
Many dogs love to run, play and roll in the snow. However, it can bring its share of adventures!
Certain parts of the dog's body are more susceptible to injury: the paw pads, ears or testicles. You must therefore be careful not to let the snow accumulate on these parts to avoid possible chapping, frostbite or injury. You can also protect your dog's paw pads by applying a moisturizing balm before and after walks to protect them.
Many pets love to feast on fresh snow, but be careful... Massive ingestion of snow can cause severe gastritis, which is an inflammation of the mucous membranes of the stomach and can be very painful for our four-legged friends.
Finally, the salt used for snow removal can burn your dog's paws and cause poisoning if ingested. Remember to rinse your little friend's paws after each walk.
More generally, don't let your dog lie down in the cold after a physical exercise and remember to wipe them completely if they're wet !
There you have it, you have all the cards ito take care of your pet during the cold season. To your down jackets!
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