Winter Safety for Milwaukee Dogs
Winter is here- although, it can be hard to tell that by the weather lately! Still, snowfall and icy days are not far away. When it's cold outside, there are things we can all do to keep our dogs safe in winter.
Gear to keep your dog safe in winter
One of the first things we want to consider is what gear do we need to keep our dogs safe in winter weather. This is not a straightforward answer, as you will need to look at your dog and how they are built. For example, a winter breed, like a St Bernard or a Siberian Husky, will be very happy in colder temperatures than a Chihuahua will be! It's important to know if your dog has a winter coat, or any undercoat.
If your dog does not have an undercoat, or has a thin coat not well suited to frigid temperatures, then a jacket will be a must for them. Jackets keep the core body warmer and more comfortable. We recommend a jacket that is well fitted to your dog and is easy to pup on and remove. We love any jacket from Hurtta or Ruffwear . Just make sure that the jacket is the right size and warm enough for what you want to do. For example, if you are going to be hiking in frigid temperatures, be sure the jacket is designed to keep your dog warm enough.
Of course, most dogs need boots or foot coverings in winter. Pawz foot coverings are a fuss free way to protect dogs feet from wet and cold sidewalks and protect their pads from salt, which can burn dog pads. They can be a little tricky to get on dogs who do not like their feet handled, but Pawz offers a full money back guarantee within 30 days. Again, Ruffwear gets our vote here! They offer a variety of boots for dogs and you measure your dogs feet and can order different sized for their front paws and back paws.
Not all dogs need boots in winter, or will tolerate them. If that is your dog, using a balm for pads, like Mushers Secret, can help protect pads from cold and salt. Put a small amount on their pads daily and let it soak in, I add a little more just before heading out for an extra layer of protection.
Dogs also need to be safe when being transported in winter months, where accidents and fender benders are more likely. I recommend that every dog be transported in a hard sided carrier, like the ones by Ruff Land Kennels. These kennels are design duo protect your pup in case of an accident, and contains them in a safe location. I was also recently introduced to the PupSaver- the only crash test rated car seat for dogs!
Activities to keep dogs safe in winter
While city walks, sniffy walks and hiking are great fun for dogs. Winter weather brings some challenges for us and our furry friends! Some dogs are not comfortable in the colder temperatures or on icy sidewalks. Slick walkways can definitely bring with them the risk of injury. Finding fun activities that are safe in colder months is key for most dogs.
Winter safe activities for dogs:
Finding a safe place to let your dog run off leash is a great way to let them burn off energy while you stay warm! Locations like Canine Einstein allow you to rent an indoor dog park for just you and your dog. Filled with enrichment items and obstacles, this gym not only allows your dog a place to play off leash safely, but is full of opportunities for your pup to build confidence! Have a reactive dog? No problem! Canine Einstein will lock the building door so no other dogs or people will surprise them.
For social dogs, there are places like The Hounds and Tap that offer a playground area indoors and is fully supported by staff who are trained to observe canine body language.
We also love swimming for all dogs! Our favorite place to go swimming is Aquatherapups! the staff are incredibly knowledgeable and love dogs of all kinds! Just be sure to dry your dog thoroughly before leaving!
For our winter loving pups, decompression walks and sniffy walks are wonderful ways to relieve stress and anxiety! Check out our previous blog on the advantages of Urban Adventure Decompression Walks.
Too cold for you? Let us help you out!
Milwaukee Paws Pet Care is here to help out when you need us! Reach out to us through our website to become a client. We are happy to help with dog walks, urban adventure decompression walks, or pet sitting. All of our staff are trained to provide your pet with the best care around!