“The winter months are not only dangerous for people, but for pets too. There are many hidden dangers when it comes to your dog’s health in winter. Read on to keep your dog healthy during the cold temperatures.
1). Do not leave dogs outside longer than 10 minutes when freezing outside. Dogs are very susceptible to frostbite during cold temperatures in winter, particularly their ears, paws and tail. Reduce time outside to ten minutes or less, especially if your dog has short or coarse hair because they get especially cold. Be especially cautious when there is snow on the ground. Your dog may resist to a sweater or dog coat, but it will help protect him from freezing temperatures and harsh winds. Many dogs do not like going outside to eliminate when it is so cold, so protective gear is necessary.
2). Consider boots when salt is present. Not only will boots protect against hypothermia, but they will prevent your dog from getting salt stuck under his paws. Dogs can have stomach problems if they lick the salt off their paws. Snowy weather is therefore very dangerous to dogs in addition to cold temperatures.
3). Dogs get easily dehydrated in winter. Be sure to have plenty of fresh water for your dogs, particularly after exercise, play and coming in from cold temperatures.
4). Be very careful about wet hair. If your dog romps in the snow, be very careful that you dry him off when he comes back inside. Use an absorbent towel and even blow-dry him. Blow-drying tends to dry out the coat, but it is important to do to prevent hypothermia or pneumonia for your dog. You may want to turn on a space heater to help speed the process along.
5). Be careful about antifreeze on driveways. Antifreeze is often needed for cars in winter, so be careful your dog does not lick it up from the driveway. Antifreeze tastes delightful to dogs but it is extremely poisonous and can be fatal. If you find your dog has ingested some antifreeze, do not delay. Take them to the vet immediately.”
This information was gathered on-line and I am simply re-posting as a worthy reminder.
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