Beat the Winter Blues with Your Dog

Piles of snow on your usual walking route? Cold air making your dog's joints achy?Winter can certainly bring some blues to your pet-play schedule, but it can also be a season full of new kinds of fun.Here are the best ways to beat the winter blues with your dog and get on to frolicking in the snow and then cuddling by the fireplace.

Eat Right:

Check out the

top 5 tips for winter nutrition for dogs

, and learn how a little chicken broth (unsalted) can help your dog keep on the weight they need to stay warm while playing in the wintertime.

Loosen Up with Supplements:

Cold air can mean stiffer joints for dogs suffering from

arthritis

. Look into giving your dog

glucosamine or chondroitin supplements

, which can help prevent the degeneration of cartilage in their joints.

Play More:

Take a look at these

7 easy ways to exercise your dog in cold weather

, and find out what the best fetch-in-the-snow toys are and what "skijoring" is.With a little creativity, winter can be your new favorite time with your dog.

How to winter shop for your dog?

The winters are a testing time for our four-legged friends. While a few breeds of dogs can tolerate a severe drop in temperatures, most of them need our help to cope with the cold. Little pups, senior dogs, and injured dogs are more susceptible to the harsh effects of winter. The common problems faced by canines are frostbite and hypothermia. Pet owners can minimize these threats by protecting their furry friends by understanding their pet's age, skin type, fur type, genetic build, and susceptibility.

How to select winter clothes for your dogs?

One should also consider the pet's weight while buying them clothes. Skinny pets would need warmer and thicker coats. If the pet is suffering from arthritis or has recently been through a surgery, it will need extra layers of winter wear to lessen the pains. These dogs will require not just warm clothing but also warm bedding and blankets. The regular pet clothes will not be sufficient during wintry weather. Choose jackets and coats that are designed and made specifically for winters.

Since the pet owners know their pets better than the shopkeepers, they should be able to choose which item of clothing is best suited for their dogs. The intention is to keep the pet warm and cozy and not make them feel uneasy or itchy. We should also check the quality of fabric for its wash-ability and durability. Discussing with other pet owners and veterinary doctors about it can help understand which brand is good and what fabric is more suitable under different weather conditions.

Different styles that you can try for your dog

Dogs will definitely look cute in denim and jackets but ensure that they also feel good. Ideally, the clothing should make the dog walk around comfortably without causing hindrance to its movement. It should be easy for you to put on and off your pet. There should not be any part of the clothing pressing against their bodies as it would bruise them. Check if the dog can run and walk in its usual speed wearing the coat. One more prerequisite is that the winter clothing should not have any large openings or gaps else the very purpose is defeated.

The jackets should be in bright colors or must contain some reflective strips, as it is necessary during early morning and late evening walks when there are no proper lights. The jacket or coats must also be waterproof - this helps you to take them out for walks despite the weather. Most importantly, measure your dog correctly only then can you buy something that fits snugly and comfortably. Remember that a good winter coat covers a dog from its neck to its tail and underbelly, but it will not protect its ears, nose, paws, and tail from the chills and frostbite. Take care that your canine friends do not spend too much time outdoors in the freezing cold.