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Braving the snow, sleet, and frigid temperatures of the winter months is just as hard on your furry family members as they are on you. If your pup or kitty is sensitive to the cold, there are a number of ways to keep her feeling extra cozy and loved throughout the chilliest months of the year. Read on for ideas, tips, and supplies for protecting your sweet pet from the winter frost and all of the pesky elements that accompany it.
Bundle Up and Fight the Chill
You may be surprised to learn that humans can begin to experience signs and symptoms of hypothermia in temperatures as low as the 40s. Keep in mind if the temperature and weather conditions are such that they can negatively impact you, then they are also severe enough to impact your pet. Hatch a plan for keeping your furry friend comfortable in the cold before even stepping outside your door.
Small dogs, puppies, and senior pets are especially susceptible to feeling the frosty bite of a cold day. For smaller puppers, this is mostly due to the fact they have less body size of which to hold onto heat, and therefore tend to lose heat more quickly. For both young and elderly pups, their inability to stay toasty warm comes down to a lack of body fat.
Besides just being plain adorable, a puffer jacket that wraps around the back and belly provides an added layer and helps to hold in heat. With sizes ranging from extra-small to extra-large, doggie outerwear isn't just for teacup-sized pups. If your lumbering giant shows an aversion to heading out into the blistering cold, there are appropriately sized dog coats to help keep her cozy.
Some dogs do not love walking on cold, icy surfaces, and for good reason. Extreme cold, snow, and ice can not only become uncomfortable to walk on, but they also have the ability to dry out and crack your pup's sensitive paw pads. It's not just the natural outdoor elements that pose a threat, but salt and other chemicals applied to the ground in winter also irritate the skin and paws. Offering protection from both the elements and injury-inducing slips, dog boots are the solution for helping your pup put her best paw forward.
Come Indoors and Warm Up
Once you and your pet have had your fill of the great outdoors together, it's time to come back inside and warm up. First things first, if you outfitted your pup in any outerwear, remove wet articles of clothing, coats, and boots. Use a towel to wipe down your pup, removing excessive wetness and bits of salt or debris. Pay extra attention to paws, giving the paw pads and in between the toes a good cleaning in order to avoid irritation from remaining elements.
Do you often feel like the best part of spending time outdoors in the cold is coming back inside to warm up over a steaming mug of hot chocolate or a comforting bowl of soup? You may not be able to share hot cocoa with your pet, but there are certainly other loving ways you can provide them with an extra touch of warmth. While you enjoy a mug of something delicious, mix up some doggie-safe broth, gently heat it in the microwave, test the temperature, and then serve it as a special warming treat.
If your pet likes to snuggle up and lounge, gift her with a new soft, warm blanket. For an extra touch of coziness, pop the blanket in the dryer for a bit immediately before use. The result will be a freshly warmed blankie your pet won't be able to resist. You'll even be tempted to snuggle in for a cuddle, too.
Stay Inside and Stay Cozy
Perhaps you and your pet are more of the stay-inside type when winter weather looms and the temperatures turn frosty. If it's a blizzard outside your door, your favorite furry friend will appreciate a warm and cozy bed to snuggle in. A bed that's fleecy and soft gives your pet the perfect place to lounge, sleep, and chill out while keeping her elevated and off the chilly floor.
Pets who are particularly sensitive to the cold will enjoy an extra layer to help them keep warm while hanging out by the fire or enjoying an afternoon winter nap. Outfitting your pup in a cute and preppy doggie sweater is an easy way to keep chilly dogs warm on frigid days.
Pamper Your Favorite Kitty
While there are several suggestions here for keeping your favorite pup warm, safe, and cozy during the winter, you don't want your favorite feline to feel left out. If you live with a cat, you're familiar with her love of boxes and small, enclosed spaces. Treat her to a kitty bed that provides a similar size and feel to her favorite box, while also providing a soft and cozy surface in which to nap away a wintry afternoon.
Whether you reside with cats, dogs, or one or two of each, sometimes that winter chill is tough to beat. A heated pad adds that extra touch of warmth to a blustery day, especially for pets having a hard time retaining body heat, such as those entering their senior years.
Whether you and your pet are the types to get out and explore or stay in and snuggle on a cold winter's day, there are a number of ways to ensure extra comfort and warmth. Throw on a coat and enjoy hitting the trails or snuggle up with a cozy blanket and embrace what the coldest season has to offer.
