Winter’s dry, cold air, chilly rain, sleet and snow can cause chapped paws and itchy, and flaking skin in your pup. But that’s not all, dangerous if chemicals from ice-melting agents, such as anti-freeze, can be exposed to your dog on walks. Prevent these cold weather dangers from affecting your pet’s health by reading these Winter safety tips:
- Keep your home humidified to prevent itchy, flaking skin. Additionally, towel dry your dog after getting in from a walk, paying extra attention to their paws.
- Never shave your dog down to the skin during Winter months. A dog’s fur provides much needed warmth against cold weather. If you have a longer-haired dog, towel dry their belly, legs and paws after walks to remove and snow, water, or street salt that may have gotten stuck to their fur. If you have a short-haired dog, make sure they have a sweater or coat to keep them warm.
- Bathe your dog less during Winter months. Bathing your dog too often can strip away the essential oils that keep their skin healthy, and cause dry, flaky skin. If you must bathe your dog often, use a vet recommended shampoo and conditioner.
- Use a paw protectant, like petroleum jelly, on your dog’s paws to protect them from salt and chemical agents. Booties are also a great way to protect your dog’s paws by preventing salt from getting stuck in between their toes.
- Feeding your pet a little extra during the Winter months can provide much-needed calories, which they need to keep warm.
- If it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for your dog. Keep you dog inside as much as possible during these months. Never leave them outside and certainly not in your car, which becomes a refrigerator when it’s cold outside.
