subject: Dogs in Cold Weather [print this page] The chilly months are quite literally on your doorstep, and unless your pet is a cold weather dog such as a Huskie or a Saint-Bernard, its coat of fur will not protect it from the biting cold. The rule of thumb is: If you are feeling cold, then your dog is feeling cold.
Dogs living outside should have their shelters off the ground, insulated with clean straw and with warm comfortable blankets to lie in. If you notice that parts of your dog's skin have changed to gray, black, white, or red, then frostbite has set in and it is time to pay the vet a visit. Frostbite usually affects the tail, scrotum, or tip of the ear and can lead to hypothermia and amputation of the affected area in severe cases.
One thing to watch out for during the cold weather is salted sidewalks, pools of automotive anti-freeze, and other chemicals which are prevalent during this time. Anti-freeze, for instance, tastes sweet to your pet, and when ingested, he may appear wobbly. Watch out for other signs such as vomiting, thirst, and urinating excessively.
If symptoms are not caught in time, ulcers may develop around the mouth, diarrhea may occur, and seizures accompanied with rapid breathing will be noticed. At this point, the kidneys will be extensively damaged. Therefore, when coming in from the cold, wipe your dog's legs and stomach because he may ingest anti-freeze when licking his paws. You should also use dog boots to prevent cracks caused by salted sidewalks.
In cold weather, dog sweaters and jackets are recommended; measure his chest and neck before buying them from the toy store. Further, his bowl of water should always be full to keep him hydrated, and you should feed him a diet rich in vitamins to keep his coat shiny and healthy.
