PETA expert gives tips for dog walks in snow, ice, mud and rain
Stuttgart. Defy wind and weather: cold, wet days and early twilight tempt many people to spend cozy hours on the sofa with their loved ones. But even in winter, dogs need enough exercise and exercise to stay fit and healthy. A dense winter coat keeps you warm, but freezing temperatures, rain and temperature fluctuations between indoors and outdoors also cause problems for four-legged friends. With a little preparation, dog owners can make walks in bad weather pleasant and safe, even for sensitive animals. Jana Hoger, specialist for animal companions at PETA, has put together helpful tips.
“Dogs with thin winter fur and animals that move slowly due to their advanced age, for example, freeze easily when walking in the cold season,” says Jana Hoger. “Exercise stimulates circulation and keeps you warm – the running speed must always be adapted to the physical condition of the animal companions. A well-fitting dog coat helps older, sick or short-haired and short-legged four-legged friends get through the cold and offers protection from moisture. No dog should have to suffer from the freezing temperatures when going for a walk – the animal's well-being always comes first.”
Preparations for a pleasant trip
- Security: In the dark and at dusk, luminous collars or tags on the dog harness as well as reflective leashes and vests ensure better visibility. Your four-legged friend should always be clearly visible, especially in traffic, but it is also an advantage to be quickly noticed by others in the forest or meadows.
- Dog clothes: When it rains, animals with very short fur, short legs, no undercoat and sick or older dogs can be protected from getting wet and cold by wearing a warming raincoat. The clothing must not constrict, cause chafing or restrict freedom of movement and should be adequately lined and insulated in cold weather. Some dogs have very sparsely hairy bellies. Dog clothing often only warms the chest and back. However, retailers now offer various models that also protect the dog's sensitive stomach from cooling down and additionally stressful moisture.
- Paws: If walking over road salt and grit cannot be prevented, the pads can be treated with a paw protection cream before and after the walk. If the dog already has cracked paws, dog shoes are recommended if he accepts them, because the salt burns the wounds and prevents healing. It often helps to shorten the hair between the pads of the paws, as small clumps of snow often quickly form there and disturb dogs when walking.
Outside, the most important thing is to keep moving so as not to get cold. Aside from that:
- Always warm up before romping around: Agile dogs can also suffer strains, among other things. Fast walking, light jogging and small exercises get the muscles and tendons of dogs and humans ready to go. But be careful: the pace and intensity should always be individually adapted to the animal.
- Against the winter blues: Offer variety, such as walking new forest paths and incorporating different activities. Sniffing and searching games are ideal – they challenge the body and mind, are fun and motivate dogs to stay outside even in less good weather. Animals that get cold easily often prefer shorter, exciting adventure walks than long excursions at a strolling pace. A walk in bad weather is often more fun when other four-legged and two-legged friends are there to provide entertainment.
- Attention, risk of slipping: When there is black ice, dog owners should pay close attention to their companions and, if necessary, keep them on a leash as they can slip and injure themselves. A chest harness or safety harness is mandatory to better protect your four-legged friends. There is also a risk of injury when climbing on wet wood piles, as dogs can slip into the gaps with their paws. Frozen lakes without official approval are taboo. The danger of breaking through the ice is too great and can quickly endanger the lives of people and animals.
- In snow makes walking particularly fun. But be careful: dogs should not catch and swallow snowballs. The white splendor can cause stomach ache if road salt and impurities are picked up with the snow. Snow and ice can also irritate the stomach lining and cause vomiting. The absorption of snow cannot always be prevented, but care should be taken to ensure that it does not become too much and cause discomfort.
Arrived back home
- Dry rubbing: After a walk, dog owners should always dry their pet well with a towel and don't forget their stomach.
- Paw control: After going for a walk, we recommend a lukewarm paw bath to wash off salt residue and paw protection cream. Always check whether there is still grit between your toes. Small stones and salt residues can lead to painful inflammation.
- Regular brushing removes dead hair, promotes blood circulation and ensures healthy winter fur regrowth. If the dog is so dirty that it needs to be bathed, then it is advisable to use a special dog shampoo – products for humans are not suitable. Dog owners can find out which care products are suitable for which four-legged friend in their trusted veterinary practice.
- Healthy dogs with strong undercoats are grateful if the heating near where they sleep is not set too high, otherwise they can easily get too warm.