No matter how cold it gets outside, there are plenty of ways to keep your pup warm all winter long. Here are a few things you might need to keep them safe and toasty for the rest of this season.
Jackets
When the temperature drops below 50 degrees, that’s when you want to take special care to ensure your dog is warm while outside. This is especially important for small breeds, dogs with short hair, and those with sparse fur on their chests and bellies. Bundling them up with a jacket or sweater can help keep them warm while outdoors. Just be sure to choose a garment that is soft and comfortable – check that zippers, buttons, or Velcro aren’t positioned in areas that might cause your dog discomfort. And if they aren’t used to suiting up for the weather, ease them into it by doing short “dress rehearsals” indoors and giving them time to get used to wearing these garments.
Booties
One of the fastest ways a dog loses its body heat is through its paws. Not only that, but walking on snow and ice even for a few minutes can cause your dog pain and might damage their paws. The best thing to do to keep them warm and protected is to make sure they have booties. Remember to look for textured material which will give them a grip similar to their paws. And be sure to purchase a pair that is fully adjustable with Velcro straps in order to get exactly the right fit. This is another item of clothing that you’ll probably have to ease them into wearing by trying them on in the house for short periods of time and giving them treats throughout the process.
Warm Bedding
Even with indoor dogs, it’s important to make sure they have a warm bed to keep them comfortable through the winter nights. There are many options for this. You can try insulated, self-warming pads, which capture body heat and reflect it back to your pet. You can buy heated beds which use technology that only turns on when your pet is using the bed and maintains a temperature that mirrors your pet’s in order to make sure they are never overheated. Or try tucking hot packs around your pet’s bed.
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