Winter Walkies 101
When it's the middle of winter and temperatures continue to drop regularly how can we make sure our dogs are comfortable and their paws are cared for? Well, we thought it was about time we shared our top tips and tricks for walking your dog in the winter.
Should I walk my dog if it snows? how cold is too cold?
Well, Every dog is different, meaning there is no exact temperature at which it becomes too cold to walk them. For example, some dogs might be better equipped for lower temperatures if they are larger or have a longer, thicker coat. Often, an owner’s judgement is best, so ensure you get to know your dog and its tolerances well.
However, you may find the guide below helpful as a general rule of thumb;
Small or medium-sized dogs with thin coats could be at risk if they go out if the temperature is 7C or lower.
bigger dogs over 20kg with thicker coats, such as Siberian huskies, are more suited to colder climates.
Though it must be remembered that all dogs, regardless of size, face higher chances of frostbite and hypothermia if they’re out at temperatures below -6C. My recommendation would be to do shorter walks - little and often. In cold weather, it tends to be warmest between the hours of 11 am and 4 pm so, try to avoid walking first thing or in the evening.
If your dog begins picking up their paws, licking their paws, whining, or shivering, you should take them home. These are all signs of your dog being too cold. Your dog may also benefit from an Equafleece suit which locks in the body heat but also wicks away any water if it’s wet outside to stop them from getting soaked.
Another thing to consider is Daylight time savings - when the nights draw in it’s important to make sure we are doing the utmost to “be safe, be seen” - consider using a rechargeable lighting solution like the scarab beacon or the ezy dog adventure light. For colder climates, a fluorescent waterproof coat like the one sold by shires can offer crucial visibility at night whilst also ensuring your dog is kept warm and dry.
It is important to remember that elderly dogs and puppies are generally much more susceptible to the dangers of the cold and are more vulnerable to conditions such as hypothermia, so you should be extra careful walking them in winter.
Paw Care 101
With snow it’s important to look after the paws and so here are my tips and tricks for keeping the paws healthy in the winter months
Trim the hair between the pads and around the feet to minimize the clinging of ice balls, salt crystals and de-icing chemicals that can dry on the skin.
After walks, use a basin of warm water or a paw cup to clean off stinging, irritated paws. After each walk, ensuring that your pet’s feet are washed and dried to remove ice, salt and chemicals will help make sure they stay comfortable and dry. Another great product is All natural pets paw wash
Check for cracks in paw pads or redness between the toes, and if you see signs of irritation or dryness, massage in a little coconut oil or an all-natural paw balm, like mushers secret to soothe those toes. Just as with human skin, moisturizing after a walk through the ice and snow will always help prevent chapped paws. Best not to use petroleum jelly or other potentially toxic-when-ingested lubricating agents, as dogs like to lick their paws! We recommend using mushers secret.
Booties can help minimize contact with painful salt crystals, poisonous anti-freeze and chemical ice-melting agents. They can also help prevent sand and salt from getting lodged in between bare toes and pads, causing irritation.
lastly, when gritting on your property, Make sure to use pet-friendly ice melts whenever possible, even though you can’t control what your neighbours or your council use on pavements and streets.
in the winter - we typically wash our dog’s feet more. and so now, even more than ever it’s crucial we ensure the shampoo we are using is chemical-free - especially since dogs have a high tendency to lick their paws! My recommendation would be the LUCCA pet shampoo or All Natural pet shampoo if you’re in the USA, we would recommend 4Legger or Kin & kind
Libby’s Top Winter Walkies Tips
A reputable high vis dog coat - so your dog can be seen in the dark - we use the one from shires as it is waterproof and has a small amount of padding for a little extra warmth - but when paired with another jumper is more than adequate for snowy weather.
A rechargeable dog light like the scarab beacon ensures your dog can be visible from meters away. They’re much better than the cheap battery operated ones and can be recharged at home using a usb cord - they offer visibility for up to 4km and are waterproof as well as being easily removable from harnesses.
An equafleece jumpsuit - suitable for smaller dogs who are close to the ground and this helps keep mud off their bellies and legs so only paws need cleaning post walks! Great for thick snowfall. Rainproof, breathable and washable - we have multiple, our oldest one being 8 years old and still good as new!
Reflective dog lead - we like the myicy brand on Amazon! This offers safety and visibility to both you and your dog as it will reflect headlights, torches and any other source of light. It also has a safety lock catch design and comes in an array of different lengths.
A micro fibre towel or paw mitts for drying off the wet feet! We’ve always found microfibre towels are much more efficient at drying dogs quickly as well as being softer on the coat. We love the brand aquamat dog who have an array of microfibre drying solutions - their drying robe is also a big hit in our house!
A paw cup - great for quickly cleaning feet after walks - just add warm water and natural shampoo and let the paw cup do the rest! - can be much easier to use to clean muddy paws before entering the house! No more muddy floors after wet walks!
Consider using a head torch or an equilight which will keep both your head warm and your walks bright! We have an equilight which is a winter headwear solution (comes as a hat and a headband ) with a built in usb rechargeable head light.
Don’t forget visibility for yourself too! We like to use a reflective vest from BTR which ensures I am also seen in snowy/dark conditions. It’s a sash that can easily be worn over the thickest of coats - it’s fully adjustable and ensures 360 visibility as-well as a reflective strip.
