Is it safe for your dog to play in the snow?

BY | November 26 | COMMENTS PUBLISHED BY

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Dogs love snow. This is as the compound is unusual and smooshy for your puppy. It also makes an excellent location for hiding sticks. Since you are the owner, the responsibility of taking care of your dog falls on your shoulders. However much the canine loves the snow, the animal must not excessively roll on the snow. This is as the snow can actually hurt your dog. Canines are susceptible to hypothermia when they stay in sub-zero temperatures for a longer period of time. It is thus important that you must not leave your dog unattended. Dogs get hurt the most not by the snow itself but by falling on hard ice.

Hypothermia is a possibility

If there is no ice, you can allow your best friend to play in the snow. The play-time, however, must not extend beyond 30 minutes. You should observe it carefully for hypothermia signs like shallow breathing, weakness, or shivering. It is to be kept in mind that dogs get distracted and unlikely to stop playing unless badly ill. Yes, it may play in the snow "naked". The cold will get to its body quicker and you must bring it inside the house to make the animal warm again. If your dog loves to play in the snow and there are clear indications of it wanting to make playing in the snow a regular fixture, you can invest in "blizzard suits" or all-weather pants.

Snow boots and consumption

You can gift your dog cute snow boots if you and your puppy live in a climate noted for its fiercer or extreme cold. These boots come in handy not only for playing but also for long walks in the cold or frozen ground. In case your puppy hates boots, trim its nails and apply cold weather balm or vaseline on its paws to stop chapping. You must not forget to wash the paws of the dog after it comes home after a long (or short) day outside.You must not allow your dog to consume snow. A few licks are allowed but not snowballs of any size. This is as rainwater could be polluted as well. As a resident of colder climates, your dog may accidentally consume a de-icer or any anti-freeze while eating snow. Regard your dog like as a child and always assume that it is having too much fun. For dogs, snowfall can make it difficult to understand where the sidewalks start and the streets end. If you wish to play with your dog in the snow, it is best done inside a park or any wide and empty space. If your dog likes to defecate outside, make a grass mound for it so that the animal could do the needful without wasting much time.

Why Are Some Pooches Winter-Loving Snow Dogs?

snow-dogs-blog

With winter in full swing, snow has begun to accumulate around the cooler climates in the U.S. As the powder covers the ground and creates piles ripe for playing, you'll probably notice some snow dogs frolicking around and enjoying the seasonal flurries.But why do so many pooches transform into snow dogs once winter rolls around? Is it the texture of the powder or the feeling of snowflakes on their noses? Or could it be something deep within their DNA?

Understanding the Snow Dogs' Mentality

Taking your pooches for walks into snowy areas can be great fun for everyone, but there's never been a real connection made between the white stuff and dogs' obsession with frolicking in the cold weather. In a new article at Scientific American,

decorated professors weighed in on the matter

.According to John Bradshaw, Ph.D., visiting fellow at the University of Bristol, the novel nature of snow might be the key to this fascination. Typically, canines develop quick habits with the objects they play with, such as towels, tennis balls and squeaky toys. When it snows, the precipitation changes the sensory characteristics of everything dogs touch, especially scent. This can renew dogs' interests in familiar surroundings and items, turning on exploratory behaviors.Alexandra Horowitz, Ph.D., from the department of psychology at Barnard College, echoed similar sentiments about novelty. Her dogs exhibit signs of newfound pleasure when it snows, leading her to believe the changed landscape and topography of snow excites canines when they go outside. The "new" feelings and smells are so engaging for dogs that they become excitable and leap around the yard in joy.These theories show that dogs enjoy playing in the snow as much as their families do and are happy to be frolicking through mounds of the powder because it offers them new experiences. However, before letting Fido investigate the latest mountain of snow created by the local plow drivers, owners should prepare for potential health complications.

Caring for Your Snow Dogs in the Winter

Dogs may love to run around outside in the cold, snowy weather, but it's important that pet parents ensure that their pooches don't fall victim to health conditions caused by winter. For example, the drier temperatures mean that your snow dogs' skin and fur might be negatively affected by the blustery weather.When they experience dry skin, treat your furry friends with

Animax Ointment

. The

dog medication

is a combination of antimicrobial, antifungal and corticosteroid ingredients used to treat skin disorders characterized by inflammation or dermatitis. Animax effectively treats an array of conditions, including eczema and seborrhea.All of the frolicking can also put a lot of strain on your canines' joints, so it's smart to stock up on

Deramaxx

to control pain and inflammation. It's particularly effective against osteoarthritis, which directly impacts joints. Deramaxx comes in beef-flavored chewable tablets that make it easy for your furry friends to consume with meals.

Don't forget to sign up for PetPlus to purchase these helpful treatments at affordable prices.

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