Düsseldorf. Wet weather, dry heating air and sniffing fellow human beings: In autumn and winter, we often create colds. In fact, dogs can also suffer from it: With simple means, pet owners can now support their four -legged friends's immune system and bring their dogs through the winter without a cold.
Wet and cold weather not only gives us humans, but also dogs easily a cold. “If the fur is wet and the dog is also on cool tiles or in passing through, then it can quickly cool,” reports the veterinarian PD Dr. Franziska Kuhne. “We humans are mostly protected with a thick rain jacket and only have to move out in the apartment – but it takes a while for the dog to dried the fur.” Although there are also warming functional clothing for dogs, but legs and paws are still wet .
Another cause of a cold: If the warming fur is shorn too late a year, the dog no longer has its full natural protection. There is a similar danger if it cools off abruptly after the summer and the transition period in which the winter fur can develop is too short. Races with a short fur and consequently missing undercoat, but also lean and sick animals as well as small dogs then tend to freeze. Likewise, puppies and dogs are more susceptible to a cold than their middle -aged peers.
Therefore, in falling temperatures, one should observe closely whether the animal shows signs of a cold – and then counteract this as quickly as possible.
What symptoms does a dog show when it is cold or cooling?
The first signs that a dog freezes are reinforced tremors and a refusal to continue walking. Especially in winter, it is advisable to take several short walks instead of being outside for a long time in a long time. Even breaks with other pedestrians should be kept short or at least prevent the dog from laying on the frozen soil in the meantime.
If the dog is cold and he tries to store warmth, according to the veterinarian, this can be seen from certain behavior patterns: “When lying down, the dog will make itself as small as possible and roll up to save heat. But even on a walk you can see when you see how he visits wind -protected and dry spots. ”
Once the four -legged friend has a cold, this is usually shown in the form of loss of appetite and a general limp. There can be occasional sneezing up to a fever at the animal. “When stroking, the fever is particularly noticeable on the ears and on the paws, because these areas are then significantly warmer than usual,” explains the dog expert. “But it can also happen that the dog suddenly rejects touches because he is bad and he just wants to be left alone. Then you can also growl. ”With such symptoms, the prompt walk to the veterinarian is recommended so that the four -legged friend is getting better again.
Prevent colds and support the dog
The most effective treatment of colds is, of course, not to create them in the first place. After a walk in wet and cold winter weather, the fur should always be tubularly rubbed dry and a warm place to lie down should be offered to the dog. For breeds with thin or short fur, the expert also recommends a dog coat to protect it, which protects against moisture and cold.
“If the dog is cold, the four -legged friend is helped by ensuring sufficient warmth, calm and liquid. There are even special heated documents or heat lamps that can help with relaxation, ”the veterinarian describes the central tasks for dog owners.
Regular movement strengthens the dog's immune system
In addition to dog ducts and other preventive measures, the dog's getting used to the weather and temperatures can also have an influence: “A slow transition from summer temperatures to the cooler autumn automatically helps the dogs to get used to the conditions. Likewise, a dog that spends a lot of time outside is of course better prepared for the weather than a room stool. The regular movement alone helps enormously, ”explains Kuhne. “With extreme temperature differences, for example, if, for example, 20 degrees and outside are minus ten degrees in the house, it ultimately only helps to get the dog in motion for warming up.”
In the apartment, our human feel -good temperatures are also absolutely sufficient for the animal. If it is too warm to the dog in the winter fur, it will rest on cool tiles. However, one should consider that many people in the bedroom prefer significantly cooler temperatures. It can therefore be helpful to put on a dog coat with a short fur or offer a warmer room at night. Because otherwise there can be hypothermia in the apartment.
Industrial Association pet supplies (IVH) e. V.