Winter with his dog | Information on North Sainte-Agathe

Jean Sébastien Labelle, Veterinarian

Published on 11 December 2022 by In Media

ARROW AND COMPANY – We can’t go back, it’s winter and it’s better to enjoy it! Like humans, some animals stay active during the winter while others want to enjoy the comfort and warmth of the house. If your pet is in the second category, your main concern is that it maintains a healthy weight during these months of hibernation! If he is not very active, it is important to reduce his portions or give him a low calorie diet.

You can take the opportunity to go to your veterinarian to make an assessment of his weight, the calculation of the number of calories per day that he should consume and finally a program of weight management with some recommended follow-up. For pets braving the cold, here are some considerations that can make a difference this winter.

USING BOOTS AND A COAT WILL ENABLE YOU TO EXPLAIN YOUR OUTINGS

Some breeds of dogs such as Boxers and Dachshunds do not have a dense undercoat and therefore do not have the thermal protection needed for high activity in the winter. A dog that is cold, shivering, raises its feet or refuses to continue its walk.

The addition of a coat will give him the comfort and above all the warmth needed to make the most of his outings. Make sure the fit of the jacket is adequate as ties can cause chafing during long activities.
Walking can easily cause frostbite on your dog’s fingers and toes, especially if you have to walk in wet snow and in very cold weather. The use of
Boots will save your dog from the cold. If you don’t use one, you can reduce the risk of frostbite by applying Vaseline to his pads before your walk. When you get home, wash his paws in lukewarm water to gradually warm them and remove any remaining calcium that could cause skin irritation.

check every corner

Ears are also particularly vulnerable to frostbite. If you suspect such a situation,
avoid rubbing the frozen area too much and don’t use hot water to warm it as it will make the wound worse. After drying well (be careful with the hair dryer that can cause burns), make sure that your dog does not lick or scratch too much. Such behavior can aggravate the wound or cause licking dermatitis that requires a visit to your veterinarian.


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