Winter Tips for Dogs

Every time my dog comes in from a walk, almost without fail, we swipe his paws down with baby wipes to clean off any dirt and nastiness picked up from the streets of Brooklyn. This habit is especially important in the winter when salt, antifreeze and other chemicals are commonly spread on the ground. Be sure to also wipe your dog's belly and legs since any ingestion of these chemicals can be deadly. Paw pads may become irritated by snow, ice and salt which can cause cracking and bleeding. Muttluks is my favorite brand to keep Fido's tootsies from getting freezer burn. Neopaws also makes dog shoes that stay put.

Other gear to think about are sweaters and jackets. My pup has a decently long natural coat, but on extremely cold days he appreciates a knit sweater. Short-haired dogs need something on very chilly days covering from the neck to the tail. It may seem a bit silly at first but your dog won't shiver!

If you need to bathe your dog, thoroughly dry him before taking him out. My dog actually likes the hair dryer, which I keep on low and warm -- never the hottest setting.Sometimes dogs cannot tolerate very cold temperatures, specifically puppies, older, or sick canines. It's not a bad idea to train them to use indoor pads or newspapers for those days that are just miserable.

These next tips are commonsense, however it's worth mentioning: never leave your dog in a car since it traps cold air and acts like a freezer -- and definitely don't keep your dog outside without an appropriately insulated structure for him to escape the elements.

A little preparation goes a long way in you and your dog enjoying the winter months.