Some dogs love the winter and we love that for them! If you’ve ever seen a husky dog playing in the snow, you know it can even be tough to get them out of the cold.
But a lot of dogs are slightly less enamored by the cold weather and snow. And if you live in the Chicago burbs (or any other cold weather climate), you know that the struggle is real for dogs who’d really rather not venture outside.
Read on for some practical tips on making it work and keeping your dogs safe and happy all winter long.
- Limit time outside, especially when it’s bitterly cold. The lower the temperature, the less time you should be outdoors with your dog. Keep the trip out just long enough to let them do their business and get a bit of exercise.
- Go outside during the warmest part of the day. If your schedule allows, take your dog out for a slightly longer walk in the middle of the day when it’ll be a bit warmer.
- Find indoor activities to help your dog get exercise. It’s important for your pup’s physical and mental health to run around and socialize. If it’s too cold to do that outside, look for doggy daycare places with lots of space and opportunity for play. In Mokena, check out Alphie’s Poochie Playlot or Google something similar near you. Doing that even a couple of times a month can increase your dog’s quality of life in the winter.
- Bundle them up. Not all breeds need coats, but they’re especially important for dogs that are small, senior or naturally lean. Find more info on coats for dogs here.
- Protect their paws from freezing cement sidewalks, snow, ice and salt by putting boots on them. This helps them stay warm but also prevents them from getting sick from potentially toxic chemicals in salt and antifreeze they may step in.
- Encourage them to do their business outside by giving them extra praise (and maybe treats) when they brave the cold to do what they have to do. It may also help to clear a patch of grass from snow – put a plastic tarp on a patch of ground before it snows and then remove it to reveal grass when it’s go time.
- Keep them comfy while indoors by making sure they have a nice, warm place to rest and sleep. Keep in mind that the floor and lower levels of your home can be colder, so consider getting an elevated dog bed for wintertime.
- Bathe them less than usual. Just like humans, a dog’s skin can get drier in the winter and too much bathing will dry it out even more.
- Give them a little more food than usual, but just a little. Dogs burn more energy in the winter trying to stay warm, so a bit more food can help. Just don’t go overboard.
Unless you decide to move to a warmer climate, your dog is going to have to learn to deal with going outside occasionally in the snow and cold. It can be frustrating when they resist, but just try to be sympathetic and do whatever you can to make the task a little easier and more comfortable.
