If your puppy loves the great outdoors, you will need to provide additional protection during the winter months in cold climates. You don’t have to keep the puppy indoors, but there are a few things you should do to keep the dog from becoming too cold.
It’s important to note than most dogs love to play in the snow. Unfortunately, puppies don’t know when it is time to go indoors, so it is up to you to keep a watchful eye and end the festivities when your dog shows signs of being too cold. It is best to be overly cautious when determining if the time to quit the puppy games has come.
There are a number of factors that affect how long of an exposure to the cold weather a puppy can take. Obviously, the temperature is one of the most important factors. The breed of the puppy and its type of fur coat are also determining factors.
It only takes minutes for many small breeds of dogs such as Chihuahuas to become cold outdoors. Breeds such as St. Bernards, huskies or Alaskan malamutes that were bred to survive cold weather and snowstorms can safely maintain for up to an hour outdoors in extreme temperatures.
You probably won’t find a magic chart that tells you just how long your breed of puppy can safely stay outdoors before becoming cold and/or developing frostbite. If there is any doubt at all in your mind that your puppy is no longer comfortable outdoors, get him or her inside right away.
Hypothermia does affect puppies and occurs when the body temperature falls below 95 degrees. The most prevalent sign is shivering. Dogs shiver to produce body heat, so excess shivering is a good sign your puppy is cold.
Puppies suffering from hypothermia will also tend to breathe at a slower, shallower rate.
Puppies that are too cold may appear clumsy. This is because their heart rate slows and their muscles stiffen during hypothermia.
There are many items available in pet stores than can help protect your puppy from the cold. There are sweaters and coats sized for all breeds. You can even buy waterproof pet coats for those geographic areas that get lots of freezing rain, sleet and ice. There are doggie boots, but you might find that swallowing the Atlantic Ocean is easier than getting puppies to wear them. However, you will stand a better chance of success with the boots if you introduce them as early as you can in the puppy’s life.
Boots are especially beneficial for puppies that live in the city where their exposure to salt and snow-melting chemicals is greater.
If you don’t put boots on your puppy, be sure to clean his or her footpads immediately when returning indoors. Many of the chemicals are toxic, so take a warm, wet washcloth and gently, but thoroughly, cleanse the feet. Be sure to remove any build up of ice.
One good means of protecting your puppy during the cold of winter is to take the dog out more frequently to walk shorter distances. That way the puppy still gets exercise, but is not exposed to the cold long periods of time. Four of five brief walks of 10 to 15 minutes in duration is a good rule of thumb.
If you and your puppy live in a winter climate, don’t cut the puppy’s hair in the cold months. Long hair will serve them better than the short, groomed look.
Related posts:
- Signs of Obesity
- Detecting Early Signs of Common Puppy Problems
- It’s Time to Tune Up the Dog
- Signs of Joint Problems
- Cleaning Time – How to Clean Rubber Dog Toys
