Paw N Me

Living in sunny Southern California, my dog and I might be spoiled by the good weather. But that doesn’t mean it’s not just as important for us to prepare for the winter chill!

This is especially critical if your dog sleeps outside the house. If your dog has a doggy house, then make sure you pack it with extra thick and warm blankets. For the winter months, orient the dog house with the entrance facing the house, so that the wind chill won’t hit your doggie as he’s sleeping. Wind chill is deadlier than temperature! Dogs are very good at adapting to colder temperatures, especially dogs with heavy coats, but wind chill is another story. Imagine you are nice and warm in bed and someone runs by and throws a glass of cold water on you! That’s similar to what wind chill is like for your dog.

I am not a fan of dressing up dogs with costumes, but in the winter a nice snug sweater for your dog might be just what it needs to keep warm, especially during walks.

One last thing that often goes unnoticed; the salt and other chemicals used to melt snow and ice can irritate the pads of your pet’s feet. Wipe the feet with a damp towel before your pet licks them and irritates his/her mouth.