As the crisp winter air settles in, it's important to keep our outdoor dogs’ health and wellbeing in mind. Providing the right care during the winter months is essential to keep them warm, comfortable, and safe. In this blog, we'll discuss a few ways you can keep your outdoor dog safe this winter.
Invest in a Suitable Shelter:
The first line of defense against the cold is a proper shelter. Make sure your dog has a sturdy, well-insulated kennel that provides protection from the wind, rain, and snow. Position the kennel off the ground to prevent cold from seeping in and use materials like straw or hay for bedding to add an extra layer of insulation. If you have a kennel that’s not insulated, put a dog house with a door in it for added warmth.
Provide Ample Bedding:
Just like us, dogs lose a significant amount of body heat through contact with cold surfaces. Supply your dog more bedding in their sleeping quarters of their kennel. Adding blankets, hay, or purpose-made dog bed warmers to their kennel are excellent choices to keep your dog warm.
Stay Active:
Exercise generates body heat, so make sure your dog stays active even in the colder months. Plan shorter, more frequent walks to prevent your pup from getting too cold. Play interactive games that keep them moving, both to stimulate their mind and generate warmth.
Adjust Diet Accordingly:
Dogs burn more calories in colder weather to stay warm. Consult with your veterinarian to determine if your dog's diet needs adjusting during the winter months. Providing a slightly higher calorie intake may be necessary to help them maintain a healthy weight and generate extra warmth. Check out our High Energy 24/20 and Super Meal 30/20; our high calorie, nutrient rich, highly digestible formulas provide more calories to keep your dog warm this winter.
In conclusion, keep your outdoor dogs in mind this winter and make sure they have the essentials to stay safe and warm. There are several things you can do to give them a warm shelter while keeping them outside. At the end of the day, if it gets too cold or you do not have the means to provide them a warm shelter outside, it’s best to bring them in when temperatures drop drastically.
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