Walking Your Dog
During the Winter Months
 Yes,
you need to walk your dog all year around. In Northern climates this
can be not only dangerous for you, but also for your dog. During the
winter you need to take extra steps to insure that your dog will not
be injured or put at risk because of the weather conditions and the
conditions of the area you walk in.
Running and playing
in the snow can be a great source of exercise for your dog but
don't ignore the elements. Ice and snow can create very slippery
conditions. If your dog slips or falls it could tear ligaments
sprain muscles or suffer a puncture wound just like a human would.
If you think this might be an issue where you walk or play with
your dog, you could purchase nylon or leather boots designed for
your dog to help prevent this problem. You may also want to opt to
skip the walk or play session until the area has been cleared by
work crews.
 Another
common problem is snow and ice build up between your dog's toes
and pads. This can be very uncomfortable and Ice can actually cut
into the pads or the tissue between the toes.
Salt, sand and
chemical ice melting products can also come in contact with the
pads and tissue between a dog's toes. Some of these products can
cause burning and skin irritation. It can also cause sickness when
it becomes ingested by a licking dog. Make sure you carefully
clean and dry his feet every time you come in from outside.
During the winter
months your dog will burn more calories much faster. This is
because he is using calories to keep warm. If your dog spends time
outside you may want to consider feeding your dog more food or a
food with a higher level of fat content. Before changing your
dog's diet, we suggest you consult your Veterinarian.
If your dog has a
single coat or short hair you may also want to consider using a
doggie coat or a doggie sweater when it goes outside in the cold.
The same should also be considered if you have a small or miniature
bread dog. Smaller dogs are
more susceptible to colder temperatures due to a lack of body
mass. The are not able to regulate their body temperature as well
as larger dogs.
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