Dog Safety Kit – Winter Wonderland Fun

Most dogs like to romp around in the snow.  It is important to be smart when walking your dog in the winter and be aware of temperatures as well as chemicals that they come in contact with. Never let your dog eat slush from puddles as it may be contaminated. Dogs are susceptible to hypothermia just as people are so be aware of the signs: moving slowly, shivering, and anxiety are all signs of hypothermia in your canine companion.

Dog Safety Kit Additions

Read January’s Safety Kit Part 1 here    

• Personal Trimmer/Shaver to clip hair shorter
• Bag Balm or Vaseline (already in your kit)
• Emu Oil or Coconut Oil

Paw Protection

Paw Protection in Winter is critical when living in cold climates. No pet likes to have boots or winter gear put on if they have not been exposed to it as a puppy. We recommend you get your dog used to putting on boots, shirts and jackets if you live in areas where temperatures get below 32 degrees. Even if you bring home a puppy in the summer you can get them used to wearing this gear.

 

Keeping the hair trimmed around your dogs paws and their toenails short makes it easier to put on boots as well as it helps so the fur doesn’t get things stuck in it.  The best way to do this is use a facial trimmer with the shortest guard or a personal trimmer to keep a nice manicured paw.

 

To keep a dogs paws protected against the elements if they will not wear boots, use bag balm. If you do not have bag balm Vaseline will work which you have in your emergency kit already. Wash your dogs paws with warm water after they have been outside.

Body Protection

The easiest way to keep your dog protected from the fluff balls attaching to their body is to but a winter coat on them.  Again not all dogs will wear a winter coat so we have to have a few other options available to us.

 

You can choose to keep your pet shaved short on their legs, tail, and underneath in the winter as this will help with the fluff balls attaching although it is colder for them in general as the long fleece coat keeps them warmer. You can spray them down with cooking spray, olive oil, or rub them down with coconut oil as both of these items are said to keep the fluff balls from sticking to them.

If the fluff balls are already stuck to them simply put olive oil or coconut oil on a paper towel and rub the fluff balls and they will come right off.

It is imperative that you brush or comb out your dog after they have come in from playing outside. Dogs will mat horribly if they are not combed down to the roots. I have heard that Emu Oil can aid in detangling as well.

Hypothermia

If your Labradoodle is experiencing any signs of hypothermia:

• Shivering
• Lethargy
• Anxiety
• Frostbite on the tail, paws, scrotum

Immediately get him wrapped in a warm blanket. Get a heating pad or hot water bottle wrapped in a blanket on him. Never put this directly on a canine as this may burn their skin. Give him warm liquids to drink. Take his temperature and if has dropped to 98.0 immediately contact your veterinarian.  Continue to check their temperature every 10 minutes.