 A natural fur coat may provide some protection from the elements, but most
domestic dogs aren’t adapted to frigid winters. Keep your indoor or outdoor dog safe, healthy and happy
this winter with these 10 suggestions. 1. Carpeting the doghouse is one way to keep pooches off a
cold concrete floor. Be sure to nail down or otherwise attach the
carpet to avoid seeing it dragged out into the snow. Some dog owners class
up the joint with a heat lamp or even a regular light, which provides some
warmth in a small space. If you do this, make sure the dog can’t get burned or
chew through any electric wires. 2. Straw is an inexpensive insulator for the doghouse
floor. It can be replaced or topped off regularly, and is unlikely to stay wet
or freeze, as a blanket or dog bed might. Take care to avoid hay and other
products that might have seeds, leaves and other material that could get
trapped in your dog’s fur. Also, consider adding a pallet under the straw to
make sure the dog stays off the cold, bare ground. 3. Heated pads are a more effective, albeit more expensive,
option for giving Fido a warm place to lie down. For about $50, you can get an
outdoor rated heating pad that warms to 102 degrees Fahrenheit but reportedly
uses minimal energy. For chewers and otherwise destructive dogs, heavy-duty
mats are available for a premium price. Again, make sure to protect any wiring
from the elements and dog teeth. 4. Heat and insulate the doghouse for more comfort in
severe climates. Energy-efficient combination heating and air conditioning
units specially designed for dog houses are available for about $600. There are
plenty of ecological insulation choices, including soy
foam insulation. 5. Shrink the doghouse to help dogs use their own body heat
to stay warm. Though a large enclosure may seem luxurious, a dog can keep
himself warmer in an enclosed dog house (with a flap or other covering on the
door) a little taller than the dog with just enough room to turn around. 6. Open a door to the dog. Even cold-weather dogs cannot handle severe temperatures, so make sure dogs
have an option for coming inside. If you don’t want to constantly open the
door, consider installing an electronic dog door. To deter entry by thieves and
unwanted critters, these doors only unlock when your dog nears wearing a
special transmitter collar. 7. Dress the dog for the weather. We think some dog clothing is silly and
degrading, but boots and sweaters for some dogs just make sense in the winter.
Dogs regulate heat through their paws, and snow and ice on their feet can be
very uncomfortable, particularly if ice builds up in hair around the paws. Dog
boots can protect those paws. Also, small dogs and short-haired breeds may be more comfortable
in a sweater outdoors in winter. 8. Groom dogs appropriately for the weather. While short-haired dogs may need an extra synthetic layer of clothing,
long-haired dogs have a natural extra layer, but only if their hair is left to
grow long and un-knotted. On the other hand, as noted above, the hair around
paws can accumulate uncomfortable and dangerous amounts of ice and snow, so
keep it trimmed. 9. Warm the dog’s indoor bed if the dog lies directly on cold, hard flooring. Make sure
the dog’s bed is protected from drafts. Raise the bed off the floor and
consider using a hot water bottle or a microwavable heating pad. These pads are
designed to stay warm for up to 12 hours. 10. Feed dogs appropriately for winter. Dogs that are spending time outside in the
winter may be burning more calories just staying warm, so they need an extra
helping of food. Also consider a fatty-acid supplement to keep indoor dogs from
drying out in heated homes. On the other hand, some indoor dogs are getting
less exercise in the winter, so they might need less food. |
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CategoriesCleaning TipsEco Friendly Family & Relationships Fitness Health Tips Healthy Edibles Home Remedies Pet Tips |
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