Winter Preparations for Your Outdoor Dog

Cold weather is fast approaching and if you have a predominantly outdoor dog, follow these preparation guidelines to ensure a warm, dry space for your dog this winter!

1. Outdoor Dog Runs

If your dog has an outdoor, fenced dog run, here are a few things you can do to make sure your dog can stay sheltered and warm.

• Board up/cover the top and sides of the fencing. Using tarps or plywood and zip ties or wires, secure these to the sides and top of the dog run to block wind, rain, and snow from getting inside your dog's enclosure.
• Make sure your dog has a dog house or retreat with an opening just large enough for them to fit into. Your dog's body heat can help to keep them warm in a dog house. Make sure the opening of the retreat is facing a wall so the wind cannot get into it.
• Replace bedding daily (if needed) so that your dog always has something warm and dry to curl up with.

2. Nutrition in Cold Weather

Outdoor dogs expend more energy to keep their body temperature up in cold climates. Ensure that you are supplementing your dog's diet with a little extra food as needed. It is also important that you are feeding your dog a high-quality food with adequate fats to keep them healthy during the cold.

Adequate fresh water is an absolute necessity. Snow and ice are NOT substitutions for fresh clean water.

3. Things to Avoid

It is NEVER acceptable to keep a dog on a chain or lead in an outdoor environment. Most dogs (especially in the pacific northwest) are not comfortable in extreme cold weather, wind, and rain and you risk injury to your dog by keeping them tethered. Your dog will try to escape the cold and can get themselves wrapped up in their lead causing injury and infection.

If you're going for a walk or playtime for an extended period of time in temperatures below 35 degrees, you'll want to cover your pet's feet with booties. Dogs are susceptible to frostbite so make sure they are protected.

4. When in doubt, bring them inside!

Dogs are almost always happier in the house with you. If you're home, bring them inside in cold weather. Your dog will be happier and healthier inside where it is warm and dry. And you'll stay warmer with a big, warm dog cuddled up next to you!