Amber Weather Warnings Issued Country Wide - Dog Expert Advises How to Safely Walk Dogs In Snow

Tom Stone — Fri, 09 Feb 2024 08:00:00 +0000

Amber weather warnings have been issued across the country for widespread snow and rain. Google Trends has seen a 50% increase in searches for “can I walk my dog in the snow” so dog owners are unsure of how to safely exercise dogs in snow - and what the safety measures are to prevent accidents.

Warnings such as these have led dog experts Kennel Store to weigh in on how to safely exercise your dog, as minus temperatures head towards the UK.

“With temperatures dropping, it’s important to take extra care of your pup to ensure they’re able to stay safe, whilst still enjoying the colder weather. If your dog doesn’t handle the cold very well, it can leave you wondering if you can take your dog out in the snow.

Here Are Our Top Tips To Keep Man's Best Friend Safe on Winter Walks

Check the temperature before walking

Depending on your dog’s breed, it may be too cold for your dog to go out for a walk. Before heading out, check the temperature and if you’re unsure, refer to the chart below which breaks down the risk level depending on your dogs weight, along with other factors that could put your dog at risk.

Keep your dog on the lead if it’s snowing

Snow can cause poor visibility, and if your dog is off lead it could mean your dog could get lost. If the snowfall is particularly heavy, there may be deep patches or holes and unsafe areas. Keep your dog on lead to prevent them from falling and potentially injuring themselves.

Ensure your dog is wearing a collar with an ID tag, and they are microchipped

It’s important that the microchipping database is up to date with your address and current contact information.

Don’t allow your dog to walk on frozen ponds and lakes

Ice can be deceiving and extremely dangerous. If your dog is on a frozen pond, it may not be strong enough to hold their weight and they could fall through. Should this be the case, encourage them to swim back to you and call emergency services as soon as possible.

Check your dogs collars and leads

Damp conditions and wet weather can cause metal to rust, so be sure to check your dogs lead clips and harnesses.

Wipe their paws

Be sure to wipe your dog's paws when you come in, to remove salt and grit. This prevents their paw pads getting sore and stops your dog ingesting salt and ice-melting chemicals.

Make sure your dog is visible

With less sunlight, consider purchasing a LED collar or lead for your dog to ensure that you and your dog are visible to drivers. Alternatively, walking earlier in the day means you will be more visible to oncoming vehicles and will likely be warmer.

How To Keep Your Dog Active In Colder Temperatures

Keep your dog active indoors and outdoors

In extremes of temperature and bad weather, you may find you’re spending more time inside. Provide your dog with enrichment games and long-lasting tasty treats that can keep them mentally stimulated.

Change your route

Walking different routes allows your dog to experience new smells and surroundings, and changing up your route provides an exciting change to your dog's routine.

Teach your dogs new tricks

Even if your dog is trained and knows multiple tricks, being indoors in the cold weather is a great opportunity to teach your dog new tricks and skills. This means bonding time for yourself and your dog - and also is a mentally enriching and stimulating activity.”

Kennel Store are dog experts and have vast experience in dog care and pet housing. If these comments would be suitable for any articles you have coming up, Kennel Store would be more than happy for you to use them. If you need any additional information or exclusive quotes, please feel free to shoot me an email and I'd be more than happy to organise this for you.

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Vet issues warning over dog boots as the UK braces for icy temperatures and snow

Katie Court — Wed, 29 Nov 2023 12:20:26 +0000

Searches for 'dog boots' have increased by 182% in the past 24 hours, as the UK braces for a wave of plunging temperatures and a barrage of snow. But do dogs need paw protection in the snow?

Dog owners may be wondering whether their dog needs boots to protect their paws from snow and ice, as well as other hazards such as road salt during the chiller winter months. Head Vet at tails.com Sean McCormack is advising dog owners to use alternative methods of protecting their pet's paw pads, as this trending product can cause discomfort.

"Generally, dog boots will not cause your dog any pain, however, they might feel uncomfortable, which is why I advise against purchasing them. Dogs find it extremely difficult to adapt to wearing boots, as they make their paws heavier and restrict movement.

One of the most common problems with dog boots, is that pet parents find it difficult to recognise when they don't fit their dog correctly. This can cause a lot of discomfort for your pet and make walking very challenging for them.

Though considered fashionable to some, most dogs don't need any form of footwear.

A dog's paw pads are tough enough to withstand the snow, ice and frozen ground. They have adapted to the cold and are designed to survive the outside. Body temperature plays a big part in this, as the pads draw warm blood to the skin to keep them warm. The tissue on a dog's paw pad is built to protect them from temperatures as low as -35 degrees.

The tissue on the dog's paw is the toughest skin on the entire body and the gripping texture allows them to maintain traction and balance. When boots are worn, dogs lose grip and the surface becomes slippy, making it harder to walk for your pup - it's a similar experience when a human wears socks on a slippery floor.

But while paw pads are tough, they're not indestructible. When walking in winter dogs are more susceptible to cuts and cracks on their feed, which is why dog owners need to be most cautious. If your dog keeps picking up their paws when walking, or if they are excessively licking their pads then this could be a telltale sign that your dog's paws are sore.

Paw balm or petroleum jelly-based products can help to keep your dog's paws safe in winter. Before you head out on a walk, coat the balm on your dog's paws to create a barrier that will help to prevent snow, ice and other road chemicals from getting in their paw cracks.

Additionally, this will help to keep their pads hydrated, which is particularly important during winter when the air becomes dry. When you return from your walk, wipe it off!

Grooming plays a huge role in protecting your pup's paws during the colder period. Trimming the long hairs on your dog's paws will make it harder for ice, snow and de-icing products to cling and dry on their skin causing irritation. Be extra careful when trimming these areas, or take your pet to a professional grooming service.

When walking during winter, dogs are exposed to road salt, which can be extremely dangerous, as it can irritate the skin, causing dryness, cracking and even burns to the pads. Even more dangerous for dogs, if they lick it from their paws or fur, they can ingest the chemicals, which can be toxic. These harmful products sit on their fur and paws, so it's important that when you return from walking your dog that you clean their paw pads to remove any chemicals.

Many car owners will use antifreeze to clear the ice from their vehicles. As the ice melts from your car, the antifreeze will mix with the water, which can be harmful if your dog likes to drink from puddles. The dangerous chemical in antifreeze is ethylene glycol, which has a sweet taste that dogs enjoy.

Antifreeze can cause damage to your dog's kidneys, even after a small amount has been ingested. So it's important that if you see any liquids leaking from your car, keep your dog away and clean them up straight away.

Frostbite and hypothermia are risks dogs face when the temperature drops. When it's cold outside, avoid taking your long walks, break these down into short walks more frequently, as exposing your dog to cold temperatures for a long period can be dangerous."

Your Pets Daily - Dogs in the snow