Dogs as pets and their care during winter!

Are you a dog lover? Do you own a dog as a pet? Then you must read this! Cold season and weather are setting in the Northern hemisphere. Just like human beings, animals also need extra care during these chilly and snowy months. Many counties have specific laws in place for owners for the care of their pets. Let us look through and know them.

Shelter home and more…

Forsyth Country has made it mandatory for dog owners to have a shelter for their pets to protect them from extreme weather of summer and winter. The shelters for these seasons would be different since the one made for them in summer might not suffice to protect them in the cold winter. Forsyth County Animal Services have given tips on how to help these animals.

Winter shelter home for dogs [Source: Pinterest]

First and foremost, many times during the cold weather, the outdoor cat or dog goes and sleeps under the car hoods. When the car is started, this could injure the animal. Hence in the cold weather before igniting the engine, one should bang on the car hood loudly so that the animal has a chance to escape.

Older dogs can tolerate the cold better than puppies. Hence it is better that one trains the puppy to urinate and defecate indoors on a paper (paper-training).

Clothes and food for the pet

During the winter months and especially for the short-haired dogs, it would be in their interest if they get a coat or sweater that covers them from the base of their tail to the neck region. It is not a luxury but a necessity for them.

Give more food to pets during the winter season because they need it. The protein content of the feeds can be stepped up during these months so that they are able to have thicker and healthier fur.

Winter wear for dogs [Source: Rover]

When the dog walks in the snow or ice, wipe their legs and stomach area with a clean and dry cloth. The moisture might cause them to feel colder.

Never shave your dog down to the skin during these chilly months. They should have a warm bed far away from the cold breeze with a blanket and pillow.

More on dog and cat and pet care in winter

Keep anti-freeze and such coolants out of reach of the dogs. If these are spilt anywhere, please wipe them off. Because dogs might lick it and they are dangerous for animals. Consider using coolants that have propylene glycol instead of ethylene glycol.

Dogs and identification tag [Source: The Lifestyle Cart]

Also, read on the cooling-off period and divorces in China!

Animal Services also state that more dogs go missing during winter. Hence always put on an identification tag on them for easy retrievability. Do not leave your pet in the car for long periods. ASPCA says:

"A car can act as a refrigerator in the winter, holding in the cold and causing the animal to freeze to death. In spite of their fur coat, dogs can get cold, especially in confined spaces such as car interiors, where they can't be active to generate body heat."