How to Keep Dogs Warm in the Winter

To keep your dog healthy and happy, you must make sure you take special care of them during wintertime. 5-Minute Crafts gives you a few tips to make the cold season warmer and more comfortable for your dog.

1. Play with your dog indoors.

Find ways to play with your dog inside instead of outside, since their ears, paws, and nose will likely be exposed to very low temperatures. Only take them outdoors when they need to go for a walk, and keep it short.

2. Get a coat for your dog.

Get your dog a coat, so they have an extra layer to keep them warm. This coat is particularly important if your dog is short-haired, older, or small.

3. Prepare their winter bed.

Their bed should be as warm as possible, full of blankets and raised above the ground to avoid draft. If they sleep outside, make sure their space is dry, has insulation and a sloped roof.

4. Trim the hair between your dog’s toes.

Always trim the hair between your dog’s toes to avoid uncomfortable ice balls forming around it, if you live in a place where it snows. This will also prevent your dog from accumulating the chemicals and salts used to melt the ice on the sidewalks between their toes.

5. Wipe down your dog’s paws.

Although trimming the hair between the dog’s toes is important and necessary, you should also wipe down their paws at the end of every walk to make sure no ice or snow are brought inside the house and that their feet don’t stay cold. Ice and snow can cause painful cracks and bleeding if not cleaned properly.

6. Bathe your dog indoors.

Dogs take longer to dry off in the winter. So, wash them up inside, giving them shorter and fewer baths with warm water. Dry them as quickly as possible and don’t let them out until they’re completely dry.