Winter Dog Walk🎿

With its cold temperatures and inclement weather conditions, winter can pose risks to you and your pets. However, most dogs still need daily exercise. Winter walks can be energizing, but you'll want to take precautions to ensure your pup's safety.

WINTER WALKS ⛷️

You may be wondering how to exercise your dog in the winter? The truth is that all dogs need daily exercise for their mental and physical health. However, this question has many different answers - it depends on your pup's specific needs and the weather conditions in your area. First, during cold weather, keep your walks short.

If the temperature is above freezing, your pup may last longer and enjoy playing in the snow beyond just a short walk. Most dogs love the snow and can tolerate sub-zero temperatures with proper preparation.

Outdoor walks for up to 30 minutes are likely fine in moderate winter temperatures. Walking in the winter provides essential physical activity for your dog, helping to maintain a healthy weight. The colder temps may also invigorate your dog, making the exercise more enjoyable - especially for long-haired breeds. Additional benefits of winter walks include:

1. 🤯Mental Stimulation: Taking a walk exposes your dog to sights, sounds, and smells, offering mental stimulation that is crucial for their well-being. The change in the environment can prevent boredom and create a happier, calmer pet.

2. 🥰Bonding Time: Shared time and training during walks strengthen the connection between you and your pet. The shared experience of exploring the snow creates positive associations and strengthens the shared connection.

3. 🤗Socialization: While cold weather walks may have fewer walkers, the one-on-one encounters can be more meaningful.

4. 🤡Coat & Skin Health: Exposure to cold can stimulate a dog's coat and skin health; and may reduce excessive shedding.

5. 🫠Weight Management: Walking your dog in winter is beneficial for both of you. It provides an opportunity for both of you to be active during the colder months.

6. 🤩Burn Energy: Dogs need an outlet for their energy; especially high energy breeds. Winter walks offer a controlled environment for your canine to release pent-up energy.

7. 😷Immunity: Exposure to the elements, within reason, can support the overall health of your dog's immune system. Canines need fresh air just as much as we do (maybe more).

8. 😇Behavioral: Dogs that receive regular exercise, even in winter, are often better behaved. Physical activity helps reduce anxiety, hyperactivity, and boredom, leading to a calmer pet.

9. 😴Sleep Aid: Regular walks contribute to a tired and content dog; promoting better sleep quality.

WINTER PREP 🧣

As Texans, we don’t experience a lot of cold weather. However, our northern brothers know that life doesn't stop because it's cold outside. As much as we might prefer to hibernate through the cold of the season, your dog needs to stay active all year round.

Walking dogs in the cold can be challenging. You need to take steps to protect both yourself and your pet from the weather and learn to identify the signs of your dog getting too cold. To ensure you and your pooch stay safe when on your dog walks, we put together some hot tips for walking your dog in cold weather:

1. Plan Accordingly: Check the forecast and wind chill before you walk. Often, it can be colder outside than you think, and your pup may need a warm winter sweater or jacket. When you walk, rather than taking a long route with only one way back, chose a route that you can cut short is necessary (especially if you are unsure about the weather). Leave exploring for clear, cool days... not cold, wet days.

2. Chilly Dog: While you should know what your dog's breed says about their cold threshold; but, you should also pay attention to individual cues that your dog is cold. Dogs will let you know when they've had enough of the cold - especially elderly dogs. While you can let your dog play outside in the cold; you should never leave them unattended, particularly if they are a small breed or a breed with little cold weather protection, even if they have a coat and boots.

3. Short Walks: On very cold days, limit your walks to less than 20-30 minutes at a time. Some dogs may be able to handle more, especially if they are properly dressed for the weather, but on very cold days, multiple short walks are better than one long one for you and your pooch.

4. Pet Grooming: Keep the hair between your dog's toes clipped short. Ice and snow can accumulate on the hair of the dog's paws, causing temporary lameness and making it difficult or painful for your dog to walk.

5. Snow Shoes: While this may not be necessary in Texas, but protective booties are a practical necessity for many dogs in cold weather states. Protecting their paws from the harsh weather elements, such as snow and ice, is the best way to make sure your dog's winter walks are safe. Winter boots also keep your dog's sensitive foot pads safe from salt and chemicals that are used to treat streets and sidewalks.

6. First Aid: Injury from dry and damaged skin, or frostbite can happen to any dog. First, clean your dogs wound. Then, Use an antibacterial first aid spray or lotion for pets to prevent infection. Wrap the area with a clean gauze or pet bandage. Keep walks to a minimum during the healing process.

7. Moisturize Paws: After cleaning your pet's paws, use a pet-safe conditioner or paw wax to prevent them from drying out. Make sure the moisturizer you choose is non-toxic, as your pet will likely lick it off their paws. Coconut oil is an excellent choice. Not only is it an effective moisturizer, but it is a healthy source of fats and vitamin, too.

8. Wipe Paws: Most de-icing salts and ice melts are not safe for pets. In fact, road salt and commercial ice melters are probably the biggest winter hazards for dogs living in the city. The sharp crystals hurt to walk on and have a burning, drying effect on their pads. And if ingested, these chemicals are even more dangerous, and, unfortunately, many pets are drawn to their sweet taste. Unlike table salt, road salts may include contaminants and heavy metals that could prove toxic to your pet, especially toy breeds and senior dogs. If ice melts are necessary for your and your pet's safety, opt for pet-safe products like Groundworks Natural Ice Melter. Then, strap on a pair of boots to protect your pooch from icey sidewalks, harmful chemicals, and chilly weather conditions.

9. Bundle Up: Jackets and sweaters may look silly on dogs (especially large breeds), but they can be useful to cut down on the impactive of wind chill. While some dogs have a fur coat that can withstand cold temperatures and wick away moisture; small dogs or those with short hair can definitely benefit from a layer of clothing in colder temperatures.

10. Wet Dogs: A wet coat or sweather can make your dog colder outside than his dry, bare fur. Make sure that you are buying products that are waterproof or water resistant for snow. Then, ensure you are drying them between walks.

11. Travel the Trails: Unless your dog is a cold-loving breed, keep them out of the deep snowdrifts. If cold ice touches your dog's belly during a dog walk, they will chill much faster. In addition, plan your route, avoiding areas that have been salted, if possible. Bus routes, schools, and parking lots are the most likely to be heavily salted.

12. Use Reflectors: In the winter, there's a lot less sunlight. Make sure you and your dog wear reflective clothes, collars and/or leashes to make yourself seen.

13. Schedule Daytime Walks: Schedule your dog's walks in the daylight hours. Not only will it be warmer, but you will be more visible to vehicles.

14. Shovel Snow: While not technically a walking tip, this is a friendly reminder to be a good neighbor! And It makes your sidewalk much more hospitable for both you and your pets.

15. Limit Snow Eating: It may seem harmless, but even a little snow may can be harmful to consume, and we aren't just talking about the yellow snow. A little of the white stuff isn't likely to do damage, but eating snow does have its risks. It can definitely hinder your pup from staying warm as it drops the animal's core temperature. Second, you don't know what mystery lies under the snow.

16. Fido's Frostbite: Frostbite can be a real threat to pets, who, like kids, might be having too much fun in the snow to notice frostbite. Watch ears, nose, footpads, and tail, as these are the most common places for frostbite in dogs. If you suspect your dog's extremities are showing signs of being too cold, then try physical stimulation to warm up the paws, tail or ears.

17. Arthritis: Cold conditions can aggravate arthritis in your dog. If your pet suffers from arthritis, keep winter walks short and avoid slippery or rugged terrains.

18. Use a Leash: Don't let your pooch room off Leash onto frozen lakes or ponds. There's no safe way to tell how solid the surface.

19. Update Identification: Up-to-date information on your dog's tag, microchip, or city license may be the difference in your pet getting home safely or not.

20. Food Adjustment: Pets that spend more time outside in the winter will require more energy, so you should adjust their food accordingly. However, if your dog is mostly indoors, you may actually need to cut down their portions. Dog Calarie Calculator.

21. Avoid Metal: Anyone who has seen The Christmas Story know not to lick metal. While, metal may pose the same threat to your pets; it's not the only reason. If you are walking your pet in wet weather, steer clear of metal lampposts, metal plates, manhole covers, electrical boxes, and other metal objects, as these can carry a risk of electric shock.

22. Alternative Exercise: In the coldest months, pet parents should sign up for an indoor class or use an indoor pet-friendly facilities to boost wintertime activity.

SUMMERIZE FAQ 🥶

Can I walk my dog in the snow?

Of course. Use commonsense and bundle Up in cold weather. Use waterproof or water resistant coats, jackets and sweaters; as well as boots for extra warmth.

How long can we walk in the winter?

Walking should be limited to 15-20 minutes walks in freezing temperatures. However, this can be extended for cold weather breeds or for dogs with appropriate cold-weather apparel.

Are dog paws affected by cold-weather?

When walking your dog in the winter, their paws can get cold in the snow, with the possibility of ice developing in the fur between the paw pads, which can bring down the dog's body temperature.

When should I schedule my dog walks?

When possible, dog walks should be scheduled during the warmest time of day. Additionally, 2 to 3 shorter walks might be better than one long walk in very cold weather.

Should I purchase winter dog apparel?

Depending of the breed, age and tolerance of your dog, you may want to purchase a well-fitted water resistant coats and warm dog boots for winter walks.

Can dogs get frostbite?

Yes. Any part of a dog's body that is exposed to the cold or excess moisture can easily start to show signs of frostbite, so keep your dog warm and limit unsupervised outdoor time.