When 'Freddy' is cold or sick
Hanover. When it gets colder outside, our four-legged friends lose their summer fur and warmer winter fur grows back. However, some dogs freeze quickly at low temperatures and need additional protection. Very young, older and sick animals are particularly affected, but also dogs without an undercoat. Agila pet insurance gives tips on clothing for our four-legged friends.
'Freddy' is a lively little guy. As long as the Papillon with its long fur jumps around – and it often does – it doesn't feel cold outside, even in winter. But at some point even the little toy spaniel with the big ears gets tired and then he quickly gets cold. This is due to the dog's tiny stature and lack of undercoat. Many dog breeds, like 'Freddy', have little or no undercoat, including Chihuahuas, Dalmatians and Rhodesian Ridgebacks. For them, as well as for puppies, senior dogs and sick four-legged friends, warm winter clothing can be useful. Franziska Obert, expert at Agila pet insurance, explains what dog owners should pay attention to when choosing winter clothing: “In order to optimally protect the dog from wind and cold, the clothing should be tight, but not too tight, so that the animals can still move freely can move. Owners should also make sure that legroom is not restricted and that no other clothing items can interfere with playing and running around.”
The following applies to the materials for sweaters, jackets or coats: They should be breathable and insulate well, like fleece or wool. For animals that are very sensitive to the cold, a down jacket without a zipper that has been specially developed for dogs can be useful in winter. It offers excellent thermal insulation and is very light. However, these jackets are usually not very robust and easy to care for, which is what winter clothing for pets should be. So if your four-legged friend doesn't freeze too quickly or violently, it's better to avoid down.
It's not just the cold that bothers some four-legged friends in winter, ice and salt on the streets can also affect them. To protect their paws, shoes or socks that fit well and are comfortable can be put on. In principle, it helps against problems caused by road salt, snow and ice if the paws are checked for stones and lumps after every walk, washed with lukewarm water and rubbed with a specially developed paw ointment.
Medical procedures are another reason for dressing our pets. “Bodysuits are often used after an operation so that the animals do not lick or even scratch themselves at the wound. In the past, neck braces were increasingly used for this purpose. A bodysuit has the advantage that the four-legged friend fully retains its ability to move and is generally accepted much better by the four-legged friends,” says Franziska Obert.