Prepare For Cold Weather!!!
As the Fall season approaches, the nights grow inevitably cooler. Winter will of course bring freezing temperatures. In some areas of the country, days are freezing as well.
Does your furry friend need winter protection even if he/she has a fur coat. OF COURSE!
Dog House:
If you MUST have your dog in a dog house, invest in a heating system. There are systems out there to safely and cost effectively heat a doghouse. Make sure the floor is raised off the ground! Directly on ground, or wood on ground absorbs heat a little too well (one of the reasons your dog digs in summer--to cool off from the heat). Clean straw is most recommended or pine straw. The only thing I say against this is make sure your pet does not have any allergies to any of these fillers. Cedar chips are good against pests and smell so good BUT, cedar oil is an irritant so be very careful.
Preferably your dog is an indoor dog as well. If not, crate training now will stop the headache later when it turns to freezing outside. There are a lot of good dog training books on the bookstore bookshelves to peruse. My recommendation is to use what looks and feels best for you. If it doesn't feel right, find another method. Trust me, there are tons of different ways out there to train a dog as there are dogs.
Food and water.
If your dog eats dry and you feed outside, you may not have much of a problem; however, if your dog eats canned and likes to take his/her time... welll, cold (to even frozen) food isn't too palatable to canines just like humans don't eat frozen peas! Check the water throughout the day! Even in a temperate climate where I live, my 5 gallon bucket will freeze down halfway! Keep the ice broken. Hydration is important year round.
Your dog's well being:
Fur does offer some protection but your dog will still get cold. Paw pads and noses are easily frostbitten. Tongues are easily cut on ice shards. The mineral salts that are laid down to melt ice can be a severe irritant to dog's paws and skin. Keep your dog brushed out and clean. A clean clear healthy coat will trap and keep air better (that will be warmed by the body) than a dirty matted coat. If you have a dog with a short coat or non-double coat, there are many choices of doggie fashion to help your dog stay warm. They even have doggie boots to help protect the feet!
Okay, I admit, I have a friend that bought a pair of doggie sunglasses for her German Shepherd dogs....they were tinted and protected against the harmful sun rays....plus they made her guys look cool........heyyy nowww, you shouldn't be surprised at that! LOL
Be safe as the days grow colder!!!!
Blessings!
Lady Majyk Myst
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