Walking Your Dog in Winter

February 23rd is Walk Your Dog Day! Of course, February isn’t always the best time for a taking long, relaxing stroll with your canine best friend. It can be pretty frigid at this time of year! Read on as a Pickerington, OH vet offers tips on walking Fido in winter.

Footwear

Make sure to wear shoes or boots with good tread. The last thing you want is to slip and fall! We recommend getting something that’s waterproof, so your feet stay warm and dry.

Paw Care

Snow, salt, sand, ice, and chemical de-icers can all hurt your dog’s paws. We recommend getting pet safe de-icing products. You also can try putting booties on Fido. However, results may vary. Some pooches love these, while others … don’t. If Fido won’t go for fancy footwear, use paw balm to protect and moisturize his furry feet. Trimming your dog’s toe fur is also important. Those tufts may be cute, but they can collect ice balls. Last but not least, it’s a good idea to wipe your canine pal’s paws down before bringing him in. This will remove the salt, sand, and chemical residue from his paws. Otherwise, your pet could ingest these things just by licking his feet.

Doggy Clothing

If your pooch has thin fur, he’ll need a jacket or sweater to keep him warm on frigid days. Puppies, senior dogs, and small breeds often get cold very easily. Make sure that Fido’s clothes fit him well, and are not tight, itchy, or restricting. You may want to get more than one piece. That way, if one gets wet or dirty, your pup will still have something to wear while it’s being washed.

Night Walks

The sun goes down early at this time of year, so you’ll likely be taking Fido out after dark quite a bit. Wear a light-colored jacket, and use a reflective leash on your pooch. You may want to get a leash with a flashlight attached. (Note: these are actually pretty handy to have all year.)

Dangers

Keep a close eye on the terrain as you’re walking your furry buddy. Fresh snow can hide dangerous objects, like broken glass. Also, don’t let Fido explore unsafe areas, such as frozen ponds or spots near riverbanks. Please contact us, your Pickerington, OH vet clinic, for all your pup’s veterinary care needs. We’re here to help!