The MirrorMePR Canine PR Team all adore their pooches; so as temperatures drop they share their top tips for keeping them safe, happy and warm this winter.
CUT THE TITBITS OUT
If your dog is getting less exercise because of the bad weather, then remember to cut down his food! Just like us humans, dogs can put on weight quickly so keep an eye on his waistline and cut out the titbits until you are both active again. That means not sharing your lunch with the office dogs!!
THE YOUNG ONES
Young and elderly dogs can be more venerable to feel the cold, and with older dogs their joints can ache more in cold or damp weather, so make sure you don’t overdo it with an epic long walk on really cold days and listen to your dog: If he doesn’t look like he wants to go out, then maybe don’t. A game of hide and seek or learning some new tricks in the warm could be another option just for a day or two, until the weather improves.
AVOID WALKS WITH WATER
Sounds obvious but a frozen pond or lake can quickly become an emergency rescue situation if your dog gets caught out. Keep your dog on a lead near water in cold weather. Better to be safe than sorry.
BE SAFE, BE SEEN
If your walks take you out into the dark, make sure your dog has some form of reflective clothing or glow in the dark tag on his collar so you can keep track of him off the lead. The same goes for you too, if you are walking along unlit country lanes, make sure you can both be seen.
WRAP UP WARM
Just like you, our dogs feel the cold, and some short-coated breeds such as Chihuahuas, Greyhounds and Bulldogs will feel the cold even more so. Having a versatile and practical winter wardrobe applies to your dog too! Waterproof and warm is key to keeping your canine friend happy on his winter walks. Dogissimo does a fantastic collection of coats for Frenchies and Bulldogs to keep them warm and stylish. Pink Whiskers do some gorgeous clothing for dogs in tweed with plenty of country styling details too. Some longer haired breeds will also find winter walks more challenging as snow can ball up in between their pads and clog up on their fur. If your dog suddenly stops mid-walk and starts licking his paw, then this is probably the issue.
