The cold weakens the immune system of dogs and makes them more vulnerable to different infectious diseases. They are also at risk of cold snaps during the winter, which can lead to serious health consequences.
It is recommended to pay special attention to these pets during this period and to take the necessary measures to preserve their health. Discover our tips for taking care of your dog in winter.
Get health insurance for your healthcare
Whether in winter or not, the first step to take care of your dog's health is to take out health insurance. Some veterinary care can be particularly expensive. To give you the means to deal with it without affecting your finances, a health insurance contract for pets is the best choice.
Why take out health insurance for your dog's care?
Many dog breeds resist the cold well, thanks to the thickness of their fur. This is not the case for those who have a fine morphology or for small canids. Nevertheless, regardless of the breed of your dog, its immune resistance decreases when temperatures are too low. The slightest exposure to a cold or a microbial germ is likely to cause more or less serious health problems. This requires you to make a consultation with the veterinarian for an average cost that varies between 30 and 40 euros depending on the breed of the dog and the region.
The cost of the acts performed during this consultation will be added to your bill, which can increase your expenses very quickly. Thanks to health insurance for your pet, you can always face these situations with great peace of mind. Your dog's veterinary care will be covered in part or in full by the insurance company. Any expenses you incurred will be reimbursed immediately. This solution helps you amortize your pet's health expenses and have peace of mind.
How do take out health insurance adapted to your dog in winter?
To find the most advantageous offer, the trick is to make a dog insurance quote on different platforms of mutual health for animals and compare them. There are indeed many companies that offer various insurance contracts for pets. Rates, guarantees as well as the terms of support and reimbursement are often variable.
You must then study the offers according to these different criteria in order to choose the one that will best meet the needs of your canid. To take care of your dog's health in winter, choose companies that include a package for preventive veterinary care. Scalable formulas and contracts that cover almost all veterinary costs are also preferred.
Buy dog clothes suitable for winter
In winter, get into the habit of dressing your dog to protect him from the cold. This gesture helps prevent many health problems and promotes the development of your canine companion. Investing in winter-friendly clothing will save you from spending time at the vet and stressing out when your pet is unwell. To protect your companion while having a wide range of choices in terms of style, offer him:
- Sweaters
- Jackets
- winter coats,
- Beanies
- Slippers...
These clothes will be useful for traditional walks as well as for short outings outside for the needs of the dog. Young canine companions as well as older ones are even more vulnerable during the winter season. You should not neglect any aspect of their protection. During the coldest periods, your dogs can even stay dressed indoors. These clothes will also help you keep your rooms clean because they retain the hairs that usually scatter.
With dog boots, you protect your companion's paws against frostbite, cuts, and the effects of salt, and snow... Thanks to protective clothing suitable for winter, you also avoid changing your dog's habits by keeping him excessively indoors. This could affect their development and behavior. If it's windy, don't forget to add dog glasses to your clothing collection for the winter season.
Provide protective care after the dog's outings
In winter, you should be particularly attentive to your dog's movements and behaviors during walks. Once at home, it is recommended to practice some protective care to preserve the health of the animal. During your walks, you must prevent your canine companion from licking his paws or slippers if there is snow removal salt on them. This product is toxic and could cause burns, and digestive and neurological disorders.
As soon as you get home, you should rinse your dog's paws with water or clean them with suitable wipes. Then use a towel to dry them and take the opportunity to auscultate his pads. If there are cracks or wounds, apply a repair balm immediately. When returning from walks, dry your canine with a towel or hair dryer if he has a wet coat. Rub its paws, well to prevent the formation of snowballs between its pads. If you notice the presence of ice, give your dog a paw bath with warm water before drying him.
Give your dog a diet adapted to his age and needs
In winter, your dog needs the energy to fight the cold. His food needs will then increase slightly according to his age. You must take care of it to provide it with a suitable diet to strengthen its resistance. The lower the temperatures, the more your companion will need a supplement to supplement his ration. On the other hand, it is necessary to considerably limit the proportions if the dog spends a lot of time indoors.
For an active dog, it is recommended to increase the ratio by 10 to 20% depending on the weather. If the cold is intense, small and older dogs will need to burn more calories to maintain a high body temperature. Cereals are rich in carbohydrates and are easily digested by animals. They thus bring a good energy reserve to your companion without him spending a lot of energy to assimilate them. Cooked rice, green beans, and zucchini are examples of foods recommended for dogs during the winter season.
Limit dog baths in winter
The dogs' bodies produce protective sebum that is deposited on the surface of their epidermis to protect them against cold and bacterial infections. After bathing, water and shampoos destroy this natural barrier. In addition to this, too-low temperatures prevent the animal from warming itself. This is why it is necessary to considerably reduce the frequency at which you give baths to your companion. Instead, the animal should be dressed to protect it from dirt. Also, adopt dry shampoos to clean it.
To maintain its coat and remove dirt, brush your pet regularly. If it is possibly too dirty, only wash the affected area with a moistened washcloth and warm water. This will help him maintain his body temperature to withstand the cold. In addition, stay very attentive to the state of health of your dog. Despite all the precautions you have taken to prevent him from getting sick, he may have a health concern. This may or may not be due to winter. The most important thing is that you quickly notice his symptoms to take him to the vet.
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