14 Aug 5 winter safety tips for pets
As the temperature drops, our furry friends can be just as vulnerable to the cold as us. Keep your pets warm, safe and healthy throughout the chilly season with these essential winter tips.
1. Limit outdoor time
Fur helps to keep pets warm, but even Huskies can get cold if left outside for too long. If you’re cold, they’re probably cold too. It’s better to take your dog for more short walks throughout the day rather than a couple of long walks so your pooch doesn’t get too chilly.
Work away from home? If your dog is left outside during the day, make sure they have a weather-proof kennel with warm, dry bedding inside.
2. Create warm spaces indoors
If your feet get cold walking across the tiles or floorboards in your home, then there’s a good chance the floor is far too cold for your dog to sleep on. Create snuggly spaces for your pet to relax throughout the house with warm beds, blankets and even clothes with your scent so they have a comfortable spot wherever they are in the house.
Use baby and pet gates to block off heat sources so pets don’t get too close and risk getting burned. Cats may try to jump up on heaters that were perfectly fine places to roam during summer.
3. Get a doggy jacket
Winter gives us an excuse to get adorable dog sweaters and jackets for when it’s especially icy outside. Many short-haired breeds, including greyhounds, whippets and dachshunds can’t go out without an extra warm layer. Make sure to get high-quality, well-fitting coats or sweaters that your dog can still easily run and play in. If the jumper or coat isn’t waterproof, change their jacket if it gets wet because a wet jacket can be worse than no jacket at all.
4. Look out for puppies and senior pets
Just like babies and senior folks, puppies and older dogs have trouble regulating their body temperature. Take extra care to bundle up young and older dogs and don’t push them to go for long walks or spend too long outside.
Cold weather can worsen arthritis so it’s important to check in with your vet about pain management options for joint conditions. Speak with a vet for free to learn more about plant-based alternatives, such as CBD oil.
5. Take extra care of paws
We’re lucky enough to wear boots out in the wintertime, but our pooches go out barefoot! Carefully inspect your dog’s paw pads for any signs of dryness or cracking after winter strolls. If your pup’s paws are cracked, apply an organic coconut oil to their paws, or speak to your vet about using topical CBD treatments with anti-bacterial and anti-inflammatory properties that may help soothe dry paws.
Interested in exploring CBD for pets? Speak with a vet for free.