Winter can be a challenging time for your dog. There’s the cold and snow to deal with, not to mention all of those extra hours spent inside. It can seem like there is nothing you can do to help your pup get through these months without getting bored or lonely! But luckily, we’ve come up with some tips that will make winter much easier for everyone involved.
This article discusses how you can take care of your dog this winter to make it more comfortable during the colder months.
Contents
Paw Care
Always keep a watchful eye out for any cuts, scrapes, or foot cracks your pup might have picked up. Wooded areas are full of hidden dangers, not to mention all of the salt and sand used on sidewalks during winter! You don’t want one minor injury turning into an infection because you weren’t paying attention. We also recommend carrying some waterless hand sanitizer with you so that you can clean off every time they come inside from playing in the snow. This will help prevent them from bringing anything dangerous indoors with them if they happen to step in something nasty while exploring outside.
Brush Up On Grooming
To keep their skin and fur healthy during the winter months, dogs need to have a more regular brushing schedule than usual. In some cases, this can help reduce shedding by as much as 50%! This will also make it easier for you when it comes time for bathtime – which is more frequent now due to the snow outside!
Bundled Up Walks
If your dog is anything like mine, they’ll get excited every time you grab their leash and suggest going on a walk. But if it’s too cold or snowy out for his little paws, see if there’s another activity you guys can do instead. If weather conditions aren’t bad enough to keep him inside all day long, then he’ll enjoy playing with some toy balls or sticks in the backyard, at least!
Dog Coats
If your dog is the type that hates being cold, then you’ll want to invest in a good winter coat. While it might seem unnecessary at first – they can help keep them warm and protect their skin from salt or sand used on sidewalks during snowy weather.
Cozy Bedding
Having a cozy place to sleep is especially important for dogs now that it’s winter. There are plenty of great options out there, including shoes or boots made specifically for your pup! Just make sure you get something big enough so they can stretch out – all those extra layers will start weighing them down if they’re not able to move around freely.
Spice Up His Food
If your dog isn’t a massive fan of their usual kibble, you can always mix in some extra treats to keep them happy and excited about dinner time. Snacks and treats are always welcome during the colder months, but try adding some extra spice into his diet as well! Some ideas include chili powder or garlic, which help fight off infection due to colds and flues that may be going around in your area right now.
Keep Him Entertained
Keeping your dog busy during the day is essential for several reasons, not least because it means they’ll be less likely to get restless or bored later on at night. You can do this by hiding his food around the house, as we mentioned in tip #13 – my favorite place so far has been under my pillow after I’ve fallen asleep! But if he’s still getting anxious later on, even with these games, then try giving out more attention than usual, such as cuddling before bedtime or playing a few extra rounds of fetch before it gets dark out.
Think About Your Dog Before You Leave Him Inside
Your dog has been living with humans for a while now, so they must know how to behave correctly indoors as well – especially during the winter! If he needs some extra training, then maybe hire a sitter or pet-sitter for an hour here and there until he’s able to calm down on his own without any distractions. We also recommend keeping the blinds closed if possible because dogs are compassionate creatures which means too much light can hurt their eyes!
Keep Everything Clean
Keeping up on cleaning will help ensure things run smoothly throughout the day every day of the week, no matter what year it is. This means your dog’s feeding station, water dish, and the bed should all be cleaned out daily, so they don’t start to smell or create dirt around the house.
Keeping everything clean will also help avoid any serious health risks – winter can mean more colds and flues than average for dogs because of how dry it is outside! Be sure to check in with his vet if he starts sneezing frequently, has a runny nose, or eye discharge because these are all signs that something could be wrong. Every year, getting an annual exam will ensure you know what’s going on inside his body before it’s too late!
Stay Hydrated
Dogs lose way more moisture during the winter due to being indoors, where it’s warmer than outdoors, where there’s snow and ice everywhere – so it’s essential to make sure they get enough water throughout the day.
Conclusion
By following these tips, you’ll be able to ensure your dog is comfortable and happy throughout the winter, no matter how cold it gets outside. They should help you take care of your dog this winter, but don’t forget that they need to be exercised too. Make sure to bundle up and get outside with them! After all, it’s not just about making sure their coat is well-groomed–it’s also essential for their physical health. Remember that dogs are resilient animals and will find ways to keep themselves warm when the weather is cold outside. However, it’s still important to make sure they have a cozy place where they can sleep during the day and stay dry from rain or snow at night.
