Here are a few items no dog owner should go without in the winter season.
Paw Protection
The snow and ice can be uncomfortable and even dangerous for dogs’ paws, but even worse is the salt that gets spread along the streets and sidewalks to melt the ice. That salt combined with ice creates a reaction that burns dogs’ paws. There are two great options for avoiding this. Some people swear by having boots for their dog that use velcro to stay attached, but I’ve found those to be difficult to deal with and they fall off easily. The better choice is rubber booties. They usually stay on well, so long as you get the right size for your pooch, they’re waterproof, and they’re disposable.
A Dog Jacket
Dogs have a natural defense against the cold with their own fur coats, but for those with short, thin hair or those who live in extremely cold areas, a jacket harness is a must. You’ll want one that is at least decently waterproof to keep the snow from sinking in, and one that allows you to easily attach a leash for walks. It’s important to follow sizing instructions carefully when you measure your dog to find the right coat. A coat that is too tight will be uncomfortable, and a coat that is too loose will not protect against the cold as well and can drag along the ground and get dirty.
High-Dexterity Gloves
When you’re holding a leash in freezing temperatures, you’re going to need some gloves that can keep you from getting frostbite and let you keep a strong grip on the leash. You’d be surprised how often you need to use your hands out during a walk, but there will be plenty of times where you’ll need to knock snow out of your pup’s fur, clear debris from their paws, or pick up after them. This means you’ll have to be able to move your fingers easily while staying warm.
Waterproof Boots
You may think you can avoid trudging through snow by sticking to plowed sidewalks and streets. But there are times when you’ll need to take your pooch for a walk before the snowplows arrive, and as the snow melts into slush, you’ll be stomping through puddles left and right. There’s nothing that can chill you faster and make you more uncomfortable on a walk than wet socks. Waterproof boots that let you walk through the snow are a must.
Hand Warmers
Even with the best gloves and boots, your extremities are the first thing to get cold when you go outside. If you don’t keep them warm, you risk frostbite. And seeing as you’ll be using your hands and feet a lot on walks, it’s extra important that you take care of them. Hand warmers are soft packets that cause a reaction that produces heat when shaken. Having a set of these in your pocket to stuff in your gloves or boots on an extra cold day is a godsend.
Warm Underclothes
If you want to fight the chill on a winter walk, this is my advice: layer, layer, layer. The best thing you can do is start with a tight-fitting first layer that stays close to the skin and traps body heat.
Pet-friendly Ice Melt
As I mentioned earlier, salt is a nightmare for dog paws in icy conditions. But that doesn’t mean you have to let the ice and snow gather around your front steps or driveway. There are salt-free, pet-friendly options, and a lot of the time they work better and leave less residue than salt. Safe Paw Ice Melter
is guaranteed to be non-toxic and safe for pets, children, vegetation, and brick and stone paths. It runs a bit more expensive than regular salt, but you’ll be saving your pup from a lot of pain and potential vet bills for burn treatments.
Doggy Towel
No matter how much time you spend getting clumps of snow out of your dog’s fur, he’s going to be tracking in plenty of wetness around your house. This can make things quite slippery and, especially in urban areas, muddy. Having a towel by the door for wiping off paws and a doormat to shake off excess snow is certainly helpful.