When winter sets in and temperatures begin to fall, one of the most important things that you must do is to keep your pet warm.

Your pets need as much warmth as they can get during their winters, because they‘re not much different than humans when it comes to regulating their body temperature. It’s easy to neglect the need to provide your pet with warmth, which is why it is important to keep your pet’s comfort in mind well before winter begins.

Here are some tips to help you keep your pet warm and comfortable during the coldest days of the year:

1. Buy Your Pet Something To Cover Up With

The best way to keep your pet warm during the cold winter months is to buy them a sweater or something similar so that they can have an added layer of protection. Be mindful when buying your dog a sweater though, because not all dogs need sweaters or coats. You should only buy sweaters for dogs that have a hard time maintaining their temperature. This includes puppies, older dogs, small breed dogs, and short-haired dogs. If your dog has long fur, then they probably won’t need a sweater since their fur does a good job of keeping them warm. Always remember that dogs run hotter than humans so pay extra close attention to your pet if you do buy them a sweater.

2. Take Short Walks

Whether it be spring, summer, fall, or winter, your dog will need their daily exercise. However, winters can be cold and harsh, especially if you live up north. One way to avoid getting too cold or putting your pet in an uncomfortable position is to change up how you do your walks. If you usually take your dog out to walk in the morning and at night, try breaking up those two walks into 4 shorter walks. This will limit the amount of time that you and your furry friend will be exposed to the elements. 

One very important thing about walking your dog in the winter is to always clean off and wipe their paws after every walk. Many cities spray their sidewalks and roads with salt and other chemicals to minimize freezing. These chemicals can be harmful to your pet and cause damage to their paws if not cleaned off immediately.

3. Pet Proof Your Home

As your pet is going to be spending more time indoors for the winter, you want to make sure you pet proof your home. There are several different things that you should look out for. One of those things is space heaters, which are made to keep a certain spot in your house warm. These heaters can be dangerous because they heat up and can easily cause burns. You should always be mindful of your pets around heaters to make sure they don’t burn themselves or damage their fur. 

4. Never Leave Your Pet In The Car

Many people know that you shouldn’t leave your pets in the car during summer. What they don’t realize is that you shouldn’t leave them in the car during winter either. A car can get cold in a matter of minutes after you turn it off, so leaving your pet in the car will be like leaving them trapped in a fridge. The temperature will drop quickly, leaving your dog exposed and vulnerable to the elements.

5. Make Sure not to Overfeed

Your dog’s body may be working overtime in the winter trying to keep them warm but unless they are spending more time outside exercising than usual, do not overfeed. If they do spend a lot of time outdoors in the cold, your dog will need as much energy as they can get because maintaining their body temperature in the winter will burn more calories than usual. Even though your dog does need more food, make sure you don’t overfeed them. Overfeeding them can lead to weight problems, obesity, and other serious health issues.

6. Look Out For Overheating

Dog’s bodies run hotter than humans because of their fur. Many dogs have adapted over the years and grow a thicker and fuller coat of fur during the winter months. Their fur will help keep your pet warm and comfortable in the winter. However, this can also lead to problems since most people have their heaters on in the winter. This can cause your dog to overheat, leading to health problems. Always make sure you keep a close eye on your dog, especially if your heater is on.  Some signs of overheating are panting, throwing up, and breathing heavily.

Conclusion

Keeping your pets warm during the winter is usually overlooked by a lot of pet owners. However, your pets can get cold like everyone else. It’s important to always keep your pets comfortable, no matter the time of the year. This might mean going out of your way to buy your dog supplies to keep them warm. Keep in mind that dogs can overheat because of their fur, so keep a close eye on them, especially when your heater is always on.

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