Every dog owner wears boots, a heavy overcoat, and a knit hat when winter comes whistling. However, some of them don’t dress their furry friend for the chilly season.
Photo by Helena Lopes from Pexels
It’s a widespread misbelief that dogs, equipped by nature with a higher body temperature than us and fur coats, will handle cold weather perfectly minus accessories like:
- Booties
- Sweaters
- Coats
Although this may be true for tough sled canines who spend their days coaching for the Iditarod, mutts with lean or short coats or those with a particular size or health limitations require as much shielding from the cold as you and I do.
If you’re a dog owner, you’re probably wondering why your pet needs Snow Dog Boots during winter. The post below has all the details.
How Chilly is too Chilly for Your Dog?
When temperatures begin to drop below 45 degrees Fahrenheit, some cold-disinclined breeds of canines will get uneasy and require shielding.
For owners of:
- Thin-haired breeds
- Small breeds
- Senior mutts
- Puppies
Anytime the temperature outside is at or under thirty-two degrees Fahrenheit, you should pull out the snow boots, sweaters, or coats.
Immediately it drops to under twenty degrees Fahrenheit; every dog owner should at least be wary of their canine’s welfare.
Pro Tip: Don’t feel like you have to wait until it drops to 45 degrees Fahrenheit to dress your canine in snow boots and a coat. If you spot that your mutt is cozier outside in sixty degrees Fahrenheit weather with a coat, keep it on them.
How Will You Know if Your Dog is Cold?
Similar to us, a canine will display indicators that they’re cold. Be vigilant for behaviors such as:
- Slowing down
- Shivering
- Whining
- Acting anxious
If they begin looking for a warm place to lie down or hold up one or more paws, it’s probably a good time to go inside and warm up.
Severe Cold Weather Conditions That You Should Strive to Prevent
There are two main serious cold weather conditions that you should work hard to prevent from affecting your precious pet:
Hypothermia
Hypothermia occurs when a mutt gets wet in cold temperatures, spends too much time in the cold, or when you expose a dog with poor circulation or health to the cold.
In mild instances, the dog will tremble, and their feet and ears may grow chilly. As the condition advances, they won’t react to stimuli, their muscles will stiffen, and breathing rates decelerate.
Frostbite
Frostbite starts when your canine’s body gets cold. The body instinctively draws blood from the extremities to the body’s center to keep warm. The canine’s tail, ears, or paws can get so chilly that ice crystals can form in the tissue and injure it.
An important fact to remember about frostbite is that it isn’t instantly evident. Watch for clear indicators of grey or pale skin. A seriously frostbitten dermis will ultimately change to black and slough off.
Ways to Protect Your Mutt During Winter
Here are some simple yet effective ways to keep your dog safe and healthy during winter:
- Provide them with comfortable bedding.
- Don’t overfeed them.
- Shield them from heaters.
- Let them go outside only when the sun shines.
- Pile snow away from fences when you clear it in your yard.
- Groom them properly.
- Keep them hydrated.
- Avoid exposing them to toxins like antifreeze.
Are Snow Boots Necessary During Winter?
Yes. Your pup needs them during the wintertime for the following reasons:
They Protect Your Dog from Chemical Exposure
Even when the cold isn’t severe, dog boots will protect them from de-icing items. Sometimes, individuals use salt to melt the snow and ice from sidewalks. However, salt isn’t healthy for canines to walk on since it gets stuck in their paws, and they will then lick it off.
Boots can shield them from these dangerous substances.
Boots Prevent Injury
Dogs enjoy playing fetch. However, when they stop too fast on rough snow and ice, they’ll scuff up their paws enough to cause them to bleed. Rugged dog boots are an excellent alternative for such canines.
Boots Shield Them from the Snow and Ice
If mutts are outdoors in the cold but going fast, they may not require boots. However, once the temperature is near thirty degrees, long-haired pooches would receive clusters of damp snow stuck between their toes as it held on to their fur. A pair of snow boots can prevent this from happening.
They Make Walking Easier
Granted, if your mutt is wearing snow boots for the first time, they may have difficulty walking in them. However, as they adapt to them, it’ll be easier. Plus, the boots will prove convenient against the slippery snow.
They Keep Your Dog’s Paws Clean
If you hate wiping your mutt’s paws once they come in from outside, snow boots can help.
They keep snow, dirt, and mud from accumulating on your dog’s paws.
They Keep Them Healthy
A cozy pair of snow boots and a sweater or coat can keep your dog healthy during winter, no matter how cold it may be.
Conclusion
Snow boots are a convenient and essential accessory for your pup during winter. Please ensure that you go for a pair that fits your dog perfectly and, if you wish, their personality too. There are so many snow boot alternatives on the market.