Cold Weather Safety Tips for Dogs

The thermometer said 24 degrees this morning, but it felt like 7. Brrrrr! We don’t know about you, but we think SSD Breeze has the right idea. It’s time to curl up in a blanket next to the fire!

Our dogs are working dogs, though, and that means that they (and their handlers) will be spending some time outside when they go out in public. (And of course, all dogs naturally need to go outside a few times day.) Here are some tips so your dog stays safe this winter.

Wipe Your Dog’s Paws, Legs, and Stomach

When you come in from outside, it’s a good idea to wipe your dog’s paws, legs, and stomach to remove any salt or antifreeze that may have gotten on them. Both are poisonous to dogs. The chemicals in salt can also burn your dog’s paws or cause them to crack and bleed. You may want to avoid walking your dog through salt.

Keep Trips Outside Short for Puppies

Young puppies are more sensitive to the cold than older dogs. If you have a puppy, you may want to only take short trips outside.

Don’t Leave Your Dog Alone in the Car

If you can’t take your dog in with you, don’t put them in the car. Your vehicle can reach freezing temperatures very quickly. Even if all you’re going to do is run into the grocery store for a gallon of milk, you shouldn’t leave your dog alone in the car. You never know what’s going to happen once you’re inside the store. Any number of things could keep you inside longer than you expected.

Give Your Dog a Warm Place to Sleep

Just like SSD Breeze, give your dog a nice, warm place to sleep that’s away from drafts. Not all dogs like to be bundled up the way Breeze is, but most dogs like to have a warm, soft place to curl up.

Secure Your Dog’s Tags

Make sure your dog’s tags are secure. The snow can mask scents, and it’s very easy for dogs to lose their way and get lost.

Have Fun in the Snow

Just because it’s cold outside, though, doesn’t mean your dog can’t go outside and play! Our dogs love to romp around, catch snow balls, and bury their faces in the snow!

Do you have any other safety tips for cold weather? Leave them in the comments.

4 Cold Weather Safety Tips

It’s Farm Show week, and of course, that means Farm Show weather. If you’re from Central PA, you know exactly what we’re talking about—snowy, icy, cold weather. A polar vortex is coming through, and tonight and tomorrow, temperatures are plunging, hitting a low of 3 degrees Fahrenheit tonight and only getting up to about 12 degrees tomorrow. Stay inside if you can. That goes for your dogs, too!

Here are four safety tips for cold weather.

Limit Your Dog’s Time Outdoors

Just because dogs have fur doesn’t mean they can tolerate cold weather better than people. They can still be affected by the cold, and their paws can get frostbitten. Limit your dog’s time outside. Puppies have a much lower tolerance for cold weather than older dogs do, so try to keep them indoors as much as possible.

Protect Your Dog’s Paws

Ice melters, antifreeze, and other chemicals can be toxic to dogs. Try to avoid contact with rock salt and don’t let your dog lick antifreeze. If you’re outside and your dog suddenly kicks out a leg or acts like they don’t want to put their paws back down, move off the side walk or move into another area of the grass quickly. There may be chemicals on the ground that are burning your dog’s paw pads.

When you come inside, wipe your dog’s paws with a damp towel so they don’t ingest any chemicals that may have gotten on their paws. Examine your dog’s pads for cracking or irritation.

Don’t Leave Your Dog in the Car

This one should speak for itself. In cold temperatures, don’t leave your dog unattended in the car. Your car can turn into a freezer quickly.

Groom Your Dog

A well-groomed dog can stay insulated in cold weather. If you give your dog a bath, make sure that they’re completely dry before letting them go outside. A wet dog can easily get chilled. If your dog gets wet while they’re outside, rub them down with a dry towel when they come back inside. (Many of our dogs love being rubbed down with a towel!)

If your dog has long fur, make sure you check it for ice build-up, especially in between their pads.

Stay safe and warm! Tomorrow we’ll post some ideas for helping your dog get some exercise while staying indoors.

6 Cold Weather Safety Tips for Dogs

Happy first day of winter! We’ve had mild weather in central Pennsylvania so far, but it’s time to start thinking about cold weather safety for our dogs. Here are 6 tips for having a safe winter with your dog.

Supervise your dog around fireplaces. If you love a toasty fire on a cold winter day, be sure to supervise your dog around the fireplace. Use a screen to protect your dog from flames and soot.

Don’t leave your dog alone in the car. In cold weather, cars can act as giant refrigerators, and it can quickly become dangerous for dogs. If you’re running errands or traveling, and you think you might not be able to take your dog inside with you, it might be better to leave them at home.

Watch for frostbite. Dogs can get frostbite, too. Watch for red, gray, blue, or whitish areas on the nose, ears, and feet. Dogs may have fur coats, but if it’s cold enough that you want to go back inside, it’s probably time for your dog to come in, too. And remember, puppies don’t tolerate the cold as well as adult dogs do.

Be prepared for winter storms. If a winter storm is predicted, make sure you have enough dog food, fresh water, warm bedding, and any meds your dog is taking in case you get snowed in.

Wear collars and ID tags outside. Dogs can easily lose their scent in the snow and ice and may not be able to find their way home if they get away. Every time you take your dog outside, whether it’s on a leash or just in your backyard, make sure your dog is wearing a collar and ID tags.

Wipe dog’s paws, legs, and stomach. After spending time outside in the sleet, snow, and ice, please remember to wipe your dog’s paws, legs, and stomach. This will remove harmful chemicals, like antifreeze and salt. Also be sure to check between your dog’s paw pads for ice balls and remove them.

If you have any other tips, leave them in the comments. Have a safe and happy winter!