With the start of the new year we are in the midst ofWinter. Cold, rain, snow are the order of the day.
What should we pay particular attention to during this period and what measures should we take into consideration for the good of our dog?
January resolutions for dog owners
January goes hand in hand with good resolutions for the new year. Why not take some into account with our four-legged friend?
Here are 5 helpful tips:
- More exercise: let’s extend our walks with the dog and take new paths. Our furbaby will be happy to exercise more and stay outside longer, while we will have more time to clear our heads in the open air!
- More game: playing and having fun together strengthens the bond between dog and owner.
- More attention: we interact more with our four-legged friend by keeping the cell phone in our pocket during walks, for example.
- Healthier food: many dogs are overweight, so we try to reduce the number of snacks between meals, opting for healthier snacks.
- Well being: brushing, cutting nails, stroking, massaging. Our dog will thank us for all this attention!
Winter dangers and advice
Gently accustom the dog to the cold
When we go out with the dog we have to make sure that the transition from the warmth of the house to the cold outside is the most gradual possible to avoid thermal shock.
It’s better to make him walk quietly next to us for a few meters, so that his body can have time to adapt to cold temperatures.
If the dog has cold You can tell by these symptoms:
- Tremor;
- Stiff posture;
- Back arched;
- Straight tail;
- Restlessness;
- Listlessness.
If we observe these signs, it is better to stop the walk and go home in the heat.
It should not be forgotten that certain breeds with a coat without undercoat will feel colder. This applies, for example, to short-haired dogs such as Rhodesian Ridgebacks, Dalmatians or smaller greyhound breeds.
Beware of hypothermia
Despite their fur, dogs also suffer from the cold and, depending on their breed, size or age, some are more sensitive than others to cold temperatures.
If you are shaking, have dilated pupils or are breathing rapidly, you may be suffering from hypothermia. If the dog throws himself into cold water, the risk is important, because the wet fur can lose its insulating and protective function. So our four-legged friend could get cold, show circulatory problems, lose consciousness and even die.
If the dog is hypothermic, it should be taken to a warm place, dried and wrapped in a blanket so that its body temperature can rise again. It is important to warm up your dog slowly.
If the temperature drops below 36 degrees, take him to the vet immediately.
Paw protection
In the cold months, Fido’s paws need to cure extra because they have to endure freezing temperatures, snow, ice and the salt used in snowy roads.
Here are some tips to protect your dog’s paws:
- Avoid road salt as much as possible;
- Apply a special cream on the paws before going out;
- Check the paws for foreign bodies and remove them;
- Try on dog shoes (might be a good idea).
Winter coat care
Winter coat care is very important and should never be neglected. Dirt, snow, salt and sand can settle in the pile and should be removed a brush strokes.
The dull and dry hair dries with difficulty, does not heat well and is a paradise for parasites, bacteria, fungi and mites. Unsightly and painful sores can also appear in some areas of the body.
Therefore, regular grooming of the dog is important, which also helps to remove dead hair and allows healthy hair to grow back. This also promotes blood circulation of the skin.
Throwing the stick yes, but safely!
Snowy landscapes can be very inviting to take the dog for a ride. What you have to watch out for, though, is playing with sticks. If the wood is frozen, it can get chipped more easily, causing wounds to the mouth and throat. It is therefore better to use other safer toys.
Also, it’s best to go and play in areas that you know and flat. It can happen that the dog ends up in a hole or can get hurt with a few stones hidden by the snow and could cause fractures or rupture of the cruciate ligament.
If the dog eats snow
Every dog reacts differently to ingesting snow. Some have no problems even with large quantities, while others show symptoms very quickly. Also in many cases the snow of the roads and paths is mixed with sale of ghiaiaso we always keep an eye on our puppy!
Eating snow can cause intestinal problems or a gastritis, that is, an acute inflammation of the stomach lining. Typical symptoms are fever, abdominal pain, diarrhea and vomiting.
Should dogs eat more in winter?
Does our four-legged friend eat normally and yet seem to lose weight? This can happen, because dogs need to more energy to regulate their thermal balance with the cold: this depends on how long the dog is outside, on his age, size and type of coat.
Therefore, let’s keep an eye on its weight and we adjust his diet if necessary. But be warned: Not everyone needs extra food in winter. In fact, if the dog moves little due to bad weather, in this case he should eat a little less, otherwise he could gain weight.
Overweight
More food and less activity during the holidays? Obesity is one of the major problems resulting from poor nutrition increasingly encountered in dogs.
It is regarded as a real one illness as it can cause motor difficulties, heart disease and diabetes, thus affecting the animal’s life expectancy.
The energy needs depend on the animal and its particular situation: factors such as the stage of life, the level of activity and its state of health count.
January greens: what can we put in Fido’s bowl?
Of course, not many vegetables grow in January, and this season you will mostly find fruit and vegetables left to ripen for several weeks in storage.
- Mushrooms: Mushrooms are not poisonous to dogs, on the contrary they are considered healthy because they contain many important nutrients. However, they can be hard to digest especially when raw. Therefore, we only give our dog cooked and especially fresh ones without adding salt or other spices.
- Leeks: leeks really shouldn’t end up in Fido’s bowl, as they contain sulfides and alliin, which are toxic to the dog. Typical symptoms if ingested are: vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness, loss of appetite and rapid heartbeat.
- Rape: this typical winter vegetable can be eaten by dogs, both raw and cooked. Contains some vitamins and nutrients very healthy for him.
- Potatoes: like all nightshades, raw potatoes contain a toxic substance, solanine. If your dog eats them, he could show severe symptoms of poisoning or even die. Well cooked, however, the potato is well tolerated.
- Carrots: They contain important nutrients such as vitamins, carotene and minerals, which make them one healthy vegetable also for puppies and pregnant dogs.
Let’s not forget about deworming
It is essential to deworm the dog at least 3-4 times a year to prevent infestation by internal parasites or, if necessary, to eliminate them if they already exist, because they are the cause of more or less important health problems.
Furthermore, unfortunately, ticks, fleas and mites are also dangerous for humans, which is why it is important to deworm our furry friends regularly.
Read also: Everything you need to know in January if you have a cat