Top 10 Cold Weather Tips For Dog Owners

Written by Lynnette on February 15, 2006 | Comments (0)

Here are some safety precautions that every dog owner should be aware of.

The best tips for keeping your dog safe during the colder winter months...

Winter Safety For Dogs

1. Keep your dog inside whenever temperatures hover around freezing.

2. Never let your dog off the leash on snow or ice (especially during a snowstorm) because dogs can lose their scent and easily become lost.

3. Make sure your dog always wears an ID tag. Winter is the most common time for dogs to become lost.

4. When your dog comes in from outside, wipe off his legs, paws, and belly. Otherwise, he could ingest salt, antifreeze or other potentially dangerous chemicals while licking himself dry.

5. Never shave your dog in the winter. If you own a short-haired breed, consider a doggie clothes to cover him from the base of the tail to the belly.

6. After bathing your dog in the wintertime, be sure to completely dry him before letting him go outside.

7. Never leave your dog in the car during cold weather months -- he could quickly freeze to death.

8. Active dogs need a little more food & water in the winter. Increased protein will give your dog (and his fur) the best winter conditioning.

9. Keep dogs away from the garage to avoid any antifreeze spills.

10. Give your dog a warm place to sleep that's off the floor & away from drafts.