How to Keep Your Dog Safe in The Cold Winter Months

The cold winter months can bring a few extra challenges to keep your dog safe.
Follow these simple steps to protect yor dog during these cold weather months.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Dog brush
• Shovel
• leash
• dog shoes
• shelter

1. Keep all anti freeze products away from areas your dog has access to and watch for leaks from your car. Anti freeze has a sweet taste that attracts dogs but it is deadly to dogs.

2. If your dog stays outdoors most of the time make sure you have a dog house or shelter with a flap door to protect from the rain, snow and wind.

3. Check outdoor water bowls every day and chip and remove water that has frozen over and replace water if it has frozen solid.

4. Keep your dog brushed and free of mats and tangles to protect your dog ability to keep warm.

5. Always keep your dog on a leash when you go for a walk. It is easier for dogs to get lost in the snow and not find their way back home due to less ability to track scents in the snow.

6. Make sure your dog has plenty of food. Dogs, like humans, use more energy to produce heat and keep warm in the cold weather.

7. After walks clean off your dogs paws or invest in doggie shoes for the walks to protect their paws. It will protect your dog from licking off, often poisonous, snow melting products that may be used around town.

8. Keep the area around your fence shoveled. Snow can build up, making it easy for your dog to get out of the yard and end up lost.

[godfather25]

on 12/29/2009 Great article on keeping your dog safe during winter.

[sonni57]

on 12/29/2009 Good information on keeping pets safe in winter.

[Alrady]

on 12/22/2009 If the dog is sleeping out side make sure the area has insulation... bales of hay are good for that.