Every season poses its own set of known and unknown risks and safety hazards for dogs. Winter, even a mild one, is no exception. To help keep your pup safe and happy during the coldest season of the year, we’ve created a list of 5 helpful safety tips to keep in mind when you venture into the great outdoors with your dog.
- Watch the temperatures! Depending on their age, breed, and coat condition, some dogs are more susceptible to cold temperatures than others. It’s important to know your dog and their temperature limits so that you can adjust the amount of time they spend outside accordingly. Dogs are susceptible to hypothermia and frostbite just like humans, so be sure they wear their sweaters or coats, and warm booties if they need them on cold days.
- Protect their paws. In the winter, a dog’s paws may come in contact with sharp ice, snow, cold pavement, and any number of potentially toxic chemicals like salts and other de-icing products. Be sure to always wash your dog’s paws after walks to minimize exposure to winter chemicals, and consider using dog booties to protect their paws in the winter.
- Use animal-safe de-icers. Many of the common salts and de-icers on the market are not pet-friendly and can be toxic if ingested. If you need to use de-icing products, look for the ones that clearly say pet or animal-safe on the label. Even if you are using pet-safe products to melt the ice, be sure to wipe your dog’s paws when they come inside to prevent possible irritation from walking on the crystals.
- Make yourself visible on walks. In the winter, Daylight Savings Time means that there are fewer daylight hours for your nightly walks with your pup. Since you will be walking in the dark or low-visibility conditions, it is important to make sure that both you and your dog can be seen by drivers and that you keep your dog close to you at all times. Bright colored clothing, flashlights, and reflective or LED leashes, collars, and vests can be very helpful when trying to be seen and safe at night.
- Keep them leashed. Dogs that get loose can find it difficult to find their way home in the winter because snow and ice can mask smells and familiar landmarks. In fact, more pets get lost in the winter than in any other season. For this reason, it’s important to keep your dog leashed, to ensure that they are microchipped and their collars have updated emergency contact information like name and phone number.