Winter Guide for Dogs in Texas
We aren’t known for having extreme winters here in Austin, TX… except for the snow-apocalypse of February 2021! No matter what happens this year, you can be prepared to give your pup all the care it needs this Winter season. A good rule of thumb is if it’s too cold for you, it’s too cold for your dog!
Coats - Furry & Flannel
If your dog already has a thick fur coat, you may not need to provide additional warmth and layers. However, if you have a thinner dog breed or a pup with less fur than you should start thinking about what types of outerwear will work best. Some prefer wearing pajama style clothing while others may yet prefer a jacket that gets put on right before going outside. A good coat should span from the neck to the base of the tail and protect the belly.
Just remember, even the warmest coat will not prevent frostbite from taking hold on a pet’s extremities (think ears, paws, tail), so keep the time outdoors in freezing temperatures to a minimum or provide additional protection.
The cold weather can also exacerbate pre-existing medical conditions, such as arthritis, in older dogs. So take care to have a warm spot for your furry friend to lay their head. Remember to keep up a good exercise program as well to help keep them moving as they should.
Thinking about getting your dog groomed? When it’s cold outside, it’s important to get the hair trimmed and never shave a dog down to its skin. In the winter months, it is harder for pets to regulate their temperature, especially older aging dogs. Do make sure to trim the hair between the toes and around the paw pads as they can pick up dirt, ice/snow, and chemicals when out on walks or playing in the yard.
Stay Hydrated
We are all familiar with dry air and itchy skin we experience in the winter. Our dogs experience the same conditions and this can make them more susceptible to becoming dehydrated. Quick and easy access to a water bowl is a great way of ensuring that your pup has plenty to drink.
Don’t forget the hydration of a dog’s skin & coat!
Try to bathe your dogs only as much as is necessary to help maintain the essential oils that their skin naturally produces and opt for a moisturizing shampoo and conditioner formula to help nourish the skin.
In addition, consider adding in a fish oil supplement to help with the condition of your dogs hair, skin and nails. NeoBites has a tasty food topper made with crickets that you can use as well. It’s easy to feed and rather than having a pill or stinky fish oil to administer each day, you just sprinkle it over your dog’s food! It’s also a great option if you are environmentally conscious as insects are more sustainable than the seafood industry.
“Insects are a nutritional powerhouse with more omega-3s than any other animal...even salmon. ”
Enrichment for Dogs
Are you and your dog suffering from “cabin fever”? Enrichment is a great way to tackle the boredom of staying inside when it’s too cold to venture out for much longer than a potty break. Here are a few fun things to try doing with your dog to help stimulate their bodies, both mentally and physically!
Hide & Seek!
In this game you hide treats throughout the home, starting by placing them out in the open so the dog can get familiar with the objective of the game. It can take a few rounds before your pup will start to utilize their excellent sense of smell in order to find better hidden treats.
The 3 Cups Game
This is another great game for those dogs who respond positively to scent work games. Place 3 cups out in front of your dog. Start by placing a treat under a cup while in view of your dog, give them the go ahead to show you which cup it is under. When they get it right, praise and treat. Once you feel like they understand the goal, make it more difficult by moving the cups around after placing the treat.
Interactive Puzzle Toys
There are tons of interactive toys out there on the market these days. LickiMats can be a big hit and keep a dog occupied during a zoom meeting or while you relax. Likewise, snuffle mats can be a great way to encourage a dogs foraging behaviors and of course using their nose to locate pieces of food hidden throughout. More complicated puzzle games can be found on Amazon, Chewy, and at other pet supply stores.
Don’t want to buy another toy? Make your own! There are lots of tutorials out there on YouTube to help you make DIY puzzle feeders, snuffle mats, and more. An easy idea you could probably do right away… try placing treats in different muffin tin slots and place tennis balls 🎾 over the top of the treats. You’ve just made your own interactive puzzle feeder!
Novel Scents & Spices
Scent work and enrichment doesn’t always have to be centered around food, consider using other novel scents to “spice” it up! 🧂Try cinnamon, orange peel, oregano, or any other spice! Other animals products like fur can also be very intriguing. It doesn’t have to be a wild animal’s fur, just another neighborhood dog or a worn piece of clothing after hanging out with a new doggie friend.