Keeping your dog warm and dry this fall season
With the fall here, the cold is blowing in quickly and turning the air a little chilly. It may even be snowing in some places, and the cold rain can be unwelcoming at times. While the cool weather is appreciable in retrospect of the hot summer months, it does remind us that it is probably time to start dressing in the right attire.
This applies to our pooches as well. Our furry friends have a nice fur coat they wear all year which helps to protect them from the elements. But not all pups are designed for some of the extremes that your particular area might be home to.
Whether your pup is out enjoying playtime or simply going potty, they may need some extra protection to keep them comfy and safe during the cold season.
Keeping them warm
Initially, it’s good to go ahead and let your pal’s natural coat grow out enough to keep them warm. Fur naturally traps pockets of air that create the insulation they need to be comfy, whether warm or cold. Duel coated pooches are probably going to start winterizing their fur, so make sure you kick up the brushing to keep out the tangles and matts.
Then there’s the extra attire for those pups that have a hard time staying warm, like the Chihuahua or short-haired Dachshund. Some of these pups don’t mind a little extra to keep them warm and have that beneficial theme of the holiday season as well.
Sweaters are one of the most common, but be sure that it actually keeps them comfy and isn’t irritating their skin or chaffing their under-arm or belly areas.
Keep in mind that their clothes need to be washed regularly too. So don’t just leave them in attire for days at a time. Despite the cold, you still have to let their fur breathe and shed out any excess fur that might be accumulating under there.
This also gives you the opportunity to make sure there’s no chaffing, such as spots where their fur is blatantly worn thinner, especially if you can easily see their skin underneath.
Keep your pal dry
Wet is a problem too, particularly for pooches. Fur seems to be a magnet for water, whether it’s the slow drizzle of the day or that sidewalk puddle your friend just has to walk through.
A rain poncho is a grand idea, though strange for your dog. The ones with hoods tend to be the most troublesome, particularly because your furry friend’s field of vision is wider than yours and a hood is an annoyance that mainly gets in the way.
Remember, the biggest concern is to make sure it’s comfy. If they’re upset with the coat, it won’t last long on them and they’ll just be agitated during their walk.
Doesn’t restrict under their arms
If you can’t get a poncho on them, an umbrella is a basic all-around solution that should help. You’ll just have to keep them a little closer to you.
Wet, cold paws
The feet, those cold feet. Nothing is worse than hopping into bed and having someone put their icy cold feet on you. For dogs, their paws get just as cold and uncomfortable when the weather is right. Booties are a good solution to this problem. Not only does it keep their paws warm and dry when you get home, but prevents mud clumps and puddles in the house too. These are particularly good if your pooch loves to run and hop on the sofa or bed as soon as they get home.
During relaxing time, it’s nice to give them a good paw-massage to boost their circulation. This not only feels great, it improves their health and well-being too.
Sleeptime
When you sleep, your body cools down, so staying warm and cozy while you’re resting isn’t always simple. It’s the same for a dog, particularly if you have linoleum or tile floor. During the summer, your pal might like to lay on these, but definitely not during the winter as they can actually get hypothermia because these floorings actually sap the heat away from your body.
As for the preferred comfy spots, make sure they have plenty of warm bedding, including something like a towel or blanket they can crawl under if things get too chilly.
The cool months are upon us, and staying warm can be a challenge in some areas as things gradually get colder. But if you can stay dry and stay warm while you’re outside, you can easily be warm and cozy inside while you snuggle up with your furry friend.
