Although it is – what I would consider – late in the season of Winter, good old Ohio showed us again how far these frigid temperatures can reach! Even last year, we received an extra three weeks of cold right before Summer began. Old Man Winter knows no bounds in the northern states, and we must be prepared to face what he brings to our lives, and the lives of our dogs!
Winters are becoming colder and much more extreme than they have in the past. Remember when the temperature hovered around 30 degrees, a steady stream of light snow fell from the sky, and the ground was always covered with just enough to be pretty? Me neither, mostly because I’m freezing!
Bitter cold is a concern for both humans and dogs when we must venture outside. Careful consideration must be taken when going outdoors. Smaller dogs are more susceptible to cold, as are dogs with shorter coats (or none, in the case of hairless breeds). Larger dogs and dogs with more weather-resistant coats (Nordic, rough-Nordic, and rough, I’m looking at you!) are able to spend more time out, but must still be carefully monitored. Age and health conditions are also important factors when deciding how long to stay out with your dogs.
One old story I seem to hear more of every year is that it’s very bad to have your dog groomed in the winter time because it’s cold outside. This couldn’t be any farther from the truth! Grooming in the winter is just as important for your dog as it is for you, the human. Coats grow thicker in the winter to protect from the falling temperatures and must be maintained properly to ensure their insulating properties remain optimal. Sometimes, these denser coats can hide problems at the skin if left unchecked, such as hotspots, matting, etc. A regular grooming schedule and a healthy coat are necessary to protect your dog from the hidden perils of Winter.
Also, I promise… I’m not going to dunk them in an ice bath and then whip them out the door into the Ohio tundra! (hehehe)
Just as in people, dry skin can be a major problem for dogs in the winter. Scratching ensues, followed by irritation, inflammation, and possible hotspots. I see these conditions in dogs who love to lay in front of the heating vent. Can’t say I really blame them, as they stretch out with a look of pure bliss. Hot air is dry air, and overexposure can lead to dehydration of the skin and coat. Luckily, there are many remedies without banning your friend from their favorite spot! A small misting bottle filled with water (distilled is best) can be used several times a day to help add moisture to the coat. Food supplements may be used to increase your dog’s intake of omega oils – all of which are beneficial to maintaining skin and coat health. Making sure your dog drinks plenty of water – yes, even in Winter – will ensure hydration is being achieved from the inside out.
Dry air means more static electricity. In addition to being unpleasant when caught in one of these electrical discharges, static can contribute to matting. Luckily, all it takes is a little coat mist and a few passes with a brush to remove them, if they are caught early on. Sensing a theme? Yep, hydration is a key component in winter survival!
What happens when your dog gets too much of a good thing? I’m talking about snowballs that stick to the coat. Don’t get me wrong, they’re rather adorable and a hilarious reminder of what Winter can do. Left unchecked though, they can lead to matting, sometimes severe. Recently I had to wet shave a pup who had the snowballs all the way up past her kneecaps; the hair was matted all the way to the skin. Here comes another theme: brush, brush, brush! Knocking the snowballs out will prevent the hair from staying entangled upon itself, and getting all the way down to the skin will keep each strand separated. With a little extra maintenance, you and your dog can stay clear of the perils of Winter and have some fantastic snow-filled adventures, if you see fit to do so!
One thing I have to wonder though… has anyone heard of using a kitchen whisk to knock snowballs out of coats? It kind of makes sense. When used as a brush, it’s supposed to glide through those icy packs with ease. I’d love to try it myself, but snow just doesn’t stick to a Nordic coat! Chopper can avoid his mama’s wild schemes… for now… muahahahaha…
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