Looking After Your Dog In The Cold

As the weather becomes colder and the roads, paths and fields are often wet there are added hazards around that can cause harm or discomfort to your dog.

We’ve some top tips for keeping your pooch warm & safe including a special focus on keeping paws healthy.

Have a look at your dog’s paws after walks. Check & inspect their pads & in between toes. You are looking out for any sores or things that shouldn’t be there.

Coming in out of the cold into the dry heat of your home can cause itchy, flaking skin. Keep your home humidified & towel dry your pet as soon as he comes inside, paying special attention to his feet.

Take a towel on long walks to clean off stinging, irritated paws. After each walk, wash & dry your pet’s feet & stomach to remove any unwanted debris. If you notice any lumps, soreness or cuts, bathe the area in warm water & give your vet a call if you have any concerns.

Keeping the fur trimmed around the paws can help to reduce irritation.

Use a paw protecting ointment.

Of course, paws aren’t the only consideration. Keep these tips in mind too:

Cut down on baths. Washing too often in the winter months can remove essential oils & increase the chance of developing dry, flaky skin.

Be aware of chemicals that are around. Like coolant, antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs & cats. Be sure to thoroughly clean up any spills from your vehicle & consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol.

Make sure your companion animal has a warm place to sleep, off the floor & away from all drafts.

If it’s too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for your pet, so keep your animals inside. If left outdoors, pets can freeze, become disoriented, lost, stolen, injured or worse.

Don’t leave pets alone in a car during cold weather, as cars can act as refrigerators that hold in the cold which can be fatal.

Want to feel prepared in an emergency? Spend three hours on our First Aid for Dogs course for peace of mind and learn lots of skills and knowledge to look after your canine friend if the worst happens.

We regularly run courses in the Durban area or maybe host one at your dog club/ at your rescue organisation.

Additionally we now offer a completely online distance learning course, so you can learn First Aid for Dogs skills from the comfort of your own home and at your own pace. Take a look at the options here:

For more information Contact us on 087 8 22 11 44 or mobile 081 270 4672

Or better yet drop us an email at info@thesmartdog.co.za

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