Cold Weather and your K9 Buddy

Cold Weather & Your K9 Buddy

Its October in Alaska, and that means that our short Autumn season is coming to an end as we prepare for a drop in temps as the termination dust falls on the Chugach Mountains and Hatcher Pass that surround us here in the MatSu Valley. Sleeping Lady is pulling on her blanket and we are getting ready for fall and early winter mushing. So what does that mean for your K9 Buddy that spends more than 50% of its time indoors…

If your K9 Buddy that spends more than 50% of its time indoors getting ready for cold weather takes on a different meaning here in Alaska. On today’s show I am going to discuss the importance of proper shelter, access to water, exercise, and if you chose to have your dog sleep outdoors throughout the winter here, how you can provide better accommodations for your dog.

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We’ve all heard of the risks associated with warm weather and leaving pets in hot cars, but cold weather can also pose serious threats to your K9 Buddy’s health and wellbeing.  For those of you that are new to Alaska it is my hope that this show will shed some light on the potential dangers of the cold to certain dog breeds – especially if you and your K9 Buddy are experiencing your first winter in Alaska.

According to the American Veterinary Medical Association you should consider a Winter Wellness exam for your K9 Buddy. This is a preventative care exam. Cold weather may worsen some medical conditions such as arthritis. Your pet should be examined by a veterinarian at least once a year, and it’s as good a time as any to get him/her checked out to make sure (s)he is ready and as healthy as possible for cold weather.

Know the limits

Just like people, pets’ cold tolerance can vary from pet to pet based on their coat, body fat stores, activity level, and health. Be aware of your pet’s tolerance for cold weather and adjust accordingly. You will probably need to shorten your dog’s walks in very cold weather to protect you both from weather-associated health risks. Arthritic and elderly pets may have more difficulty walking on snow and ice and may be more prone to slipping and falling. Long-haired or thick-coated dogs tend to be more cold-tolerant but are still at risk in cold weather. Short-haired pets feel the cold faster because they have less protection, and short-legged pets may become cold faster because their bellies and bodies are more likely to come into contact with snow-covered ground. Pets with diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease, or hormonal imbalances (such as Cushing’s disease) may have a harder time regulating their body temperature, and may be more susceptible to problems from temperature extremes. The same goes for very young and very old pets. If you need help determining your pet’s temperature limits, consult your veterinarian.

Provide choices

Just like you, pets prefer comfortable sleeping places and may change their location based on their need for more or less warmth. Give them some safe options to allow them to vary their sleeping place to adjust to their needs. I’ll give some more tips and tricks about sleeping choices later in the show.

Stay inside

Dogs should be kept inside during cold weather. It’s a common belief that dogs are more resistant than people to cold weather because of their fur, but it’s untrue. Like people, dogs are susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia and should be kept inside. Longer-haired and thick-coated dog breeds, such as huskies and other dogs bred for colder climates, are more tolerant of cold weather; but no pet should be left outside for long periods in below-freezing weather.

Check the paws

Check your dog’s paws frequently for signs of cold-weather injury or damage, such as cracked paw pads or bleeding. During a walk, a sudden lameness may be due to an injury or may be due to ice accumulation between his/her toes. You may be able to reduce the chance of iceball accumulation by clipping the hair between your dog’s toes.

Play dress-up

If your dog has a short coat or seems bothered by the cold weather, consider a sweater or dog coat. Have several on hand, so you can use a dry sweater or coat each time your dog goes outside. Wet sweaters or coats can actually make your dog colder. Some pet owners also use booties to protect their dog’s feet; if you choose to use them, make sure they fit properly.

Wipe down

During walks, your dog’s feet, legs and belly may pick up deicers, antifreeze, or other chemicals that could be toxic. When you get back inside, wipe down (or wash) your pet’s feet, legs and belly to remove these chemicals and reduce the risk that your dog will be poisoned after (s)he licks them off of his/her feet or fur. Consider using pet-safe deicers on your property to protect your pets and the others in your neighborhood.

Collar and chip

Many pets become lost in winter because snow and ice can hide recognizable scents that might normally help your pet find his/her way back home. Make sure your pet has a well-fitting collar with up-to-date identification and contact information. A microchip is a more permanent means of identification, but it’s critical that you keep the registration up to date.

Stay home

Hot cars are a known threat to pets, but cold cars also pose significant risk to your pet’s health. You’re already familiar with how a car can rapidly cool down in cold weather; it becomes like a refrigerator and can rapidly chill your pet. Pets that are young, old, ill, or thin are particularly susceptible to cold environments and should never be left in cold cars. Limit car travel to only that which is necessary, and don’t leave your pet unattended in the vehicle.

If you have any questions, click here or need some suggestions about proper outdoor shelter and winter training courses that we offer let us know! Here’s some more information regarding Cold Weather and your K9 Buddy.

Prevent poisoning

Clean up any antifreeze spills quickly, as even small amounts of antifreeze can be deadly. Make sure your pets don’t have access to medication bottles, household chemicals, potentially toxic foods such as onions, xylitol (a sugar substitute) and chocolate.

Protect family

Odds are your pet will be spending more time inside during the winter, so it’s a good time to make sure your house is properly pet-proofed. Use space heaters with caution around pets, because they can burn or they can be knocked over, potentially starting a fire. Check your furnace before the cold weather sets in to make sure it’s working efficiently and install carbon monoxide detectors to keep your entire family safe from harm. If you have a pet bird, make sure its cage is away from drafts.

Avoid ice

When walking your dog, stay away from frozen ponds, lakes and other water. You don’t know if the ice will support your dog’s weight, and if your dog breaks through the ice it could be deadly. And if this happens and you instinctively try to save your dog, both of your lives could be in jeopardy.

Provide shelter

We don’t recommend keeping any pet outside for long periods of time, but if you are unable to keep your dog inside during cold weather, provide him/her with a warm, solid shelter against wind. Make sure that they have unlimited access to fresh, non-frozen water (by changing the water frequently or using a pet-safe, heated water bowl). The floor of the shelter should be off of the ground (to minimize heat loss into the ground) and the bedding should be thick, dry and changed regularly to provide a warm, dry environment. The door to the shelter should be positioned away from prevailing winds. Space heaters and heat lamps should be avoided because of the risk of burns or fire. Heated pet mats should also be used with caution because they are still capable of causing burns.

Recognize problems

If your pet is whining, shivering, seems anxious, slows down or stops moving, seems weak, or starts looking for warm places to burrow, get them back inside quickly because they are showing signs of hypothermia. Frostbite is harder to detect and may not be fully recognized until a few days after the damage is done. If you suspect your pet has hypothermia or frostbite, consult your veterinarian immediately.

Be prepared

Cold weather also brings the risks of severe winter weather, blizzards and power outages. Prepare a disaster/emergency kit and include your pet in your plans. Have enough food, water and medicine (including any prescription medications as well as heartworm and flea/tick preventives) on hand to get through at least five days.

Feed well

Keep your pet at a healthy weight throughout the winter. Some pet owners feel that a little extra weight gives their pet some extra protection from cold, but the health risks associated with that extra weight don’t make it worth doing. Watch your pet’s body condition and keep them in the healthy range. Outdoor pets will require more calories in the winter to generate enough body heat and energy to keep them warm – talk to your veterinarian about your pet’s nutritional needs during cold weather.

If you are choosing to have your dog spend time outdoors while you’re at work or if you are choosing to have your dog sleep outdoors, you’ll need to make some accommodations so they are comfortable and remain healthy throughout the winter season here in Alaska.

NOTE: I do not recommend that any dog that does not have an undercoat remain outdoors overnight in Alaska. I also will highly recommend that dogs without undercoats have access to get inside your home easily in case they get too cold or worse they get wet while you’re gone.

If your dog is spending four hours to overnight outdoors you will need to provide them with a dry area, a dog house, water with a heater in the bucket to prevent it freezing, you will also need to increase their food intake so they are able to have enough calories to stave of the colder temps. Inside the dog house, DO NOT USE fabric bedding of any kind. Fabric bedding will become wet and will not be a good insulator for your dog. Using a dog house with a flat roof and an access door offset to the side will allow for your dog to crawl in and get out of the wind. Place straw in their house. Enough straw so that it appears that you’ve filled the house with straw that you have fluffed up. The dog will enter and create its own bed. Straw breathes and wicks away moisture from the dog, the air and even from the house as the dog breathes and causes condensation in its house while resting. Add another pat of straw every time the temp dips another ten degrees. Rule of thumb: Straw goes in dog house at temps from 28 above and straw is added once the temp begins to drop to 18 we add straw, eight degrees we add two pats of straw, negative temps we follow same rules.

Exercising your dog throughout the season is very important. Maintaining your training routine helps both you and your K9 Buddy stay fit, sharp, and enhances the bond especially during the dark cold winter months here in Alaska.