If you’re a homeowner and a car owner, you probably know that you have to winterize your house and your cars. This is particularly true if you’re living in a cold region. However, for those who don’t know, you should also winterize your pets.  

It is crucial to guarantee that your pets have the right gear to endure the winter season safely. If you’re hiring dog walking services in Edina MN, chances are they probably have the tools required to make your dog comfortable during a winter walk. However, if you’re walking your dog on your own, here are several tips you should follow: 

Consistently Brush Your Pet 

 

Do Not use Deicer or Salt on Sidewalks and Driveways 

Though there are a couple of pet-friendly ice melt products available, not all of your neighbors might consider using them. You should try to avoid any spots that have been treated. Make sure you wipe their paws off if your dog does walk on a treated sidewalk or road. Use a damp cloth.  

Furthermore, do not use antifreeze in your garage or house. The sweet smell might tempt your pets. However, they’re extremely dangerous to them.  

Offer the Right Paw Care 

If you want to keep the paws of your dog clean, make sure you let them wear booties. However, a lot of dogs do not like to wear these things. Fortunately, there are a lot of other excellent options for dog boots if you want to try them.  

If your pet doesn’t really want to wear any protective paw covering, make sure you trim the fur in their paws.  

Ensure They’ve Got a Lot of Water 

Your dog will have to drink more water to stay hydrated during the winter. The reason for this is that your dog is burning more calories to stay warm. In addition to that, they’re also wearing additional layers. Excellent hydration is vital to the ability of your dog to control its body temperature. Make sure the water is placed in a plastic bowl if it is located outside. Metal bowls could freeze and present a risk to your dog.  

Prepare the Right Winter Wear 

Dogs cannot layer up in the winter. This is according to professional vets. Because of this, they need our help. Thus, they’ll probably require a coat to stay warm. This is particularly true if they’ve got short fur. Look for a coat for your dog that offers warmth without affecting their movement. It is ideal to choose winter wear that covers the abdomen and chest of your dog. However, you will not require an extra coat if your dog is an arctic breed.  

Consistently Brush Your Pet 

You can help your dog to control their body temperature by keeping them mat and knot-free. Matted fur doesn’t insulate properly. In addition to that, they take a lot of time to completely dry. Keeping your dog’s coat clean and brushing them regularly will get rid of old fur and enable a fuller coat to grow.