It’s a fact of life for dogs: whether they’re kibble lovers or enjoy a raw pet food diet, they enjoy the snow.

Think of how excited they get for the first snowfall of the year. They watch the flakes as they fall to earth, and as soon as you let them, they’ll go out to scamper through the snow.

And while we want our pets to enjoy this time of year, it’s important that we take precautions to keep them safe and healthy.

Here are a few things the ASPCA recommends to protect your dog this winter.

Avoid shaving your dog down to the skin. They need a thicker winter coat to stay warm. Trim their fur to minimize ice, salt crystals and de-icing chemicals from collecting there.
If you have a short-haired dog, consider getting them a winter coat (or a sweater that covers them neck to tail).
Another addition to your dog’s winter wardrobe: boots, which can protect their paws from salt and ice melt chemicals. If you can’t use booties, massage petroleum jelly into your dog’s paw pads before heading outdoors.
Moving from the cold outdoors into the warm, dry inside of your home over and over can make your dog’s skin flaky and itchy. Try to keep your home humidified and dry your dog as soon as they get back inside. Pay attention to their paws and remove snow from between their foot pads.
During the winter, a towel should become an essential part of taking your dog in the winter. You’ll need it to clean their paws, which might be irritated from walking across salt-covered ground.
After you’re done your walk, wash and draw their feet and stomach to remove salt, ice and chemicals. Inspect their paw pads for cracks and look for redness between the toes.
Put bathtime on hold during the winter. Too-frequent bathing can rob your dog of essential oils and cause their skin to dry out. If your dog absolutely needs a bath, talk to your vet about a moisturizing shampoo.
Much like engine coolant, antifreeze is deadly for cats and dogs. If you spill any while filling your car, make sure you clean it thoroughly. Consider using switching to products that contain propylene glycol instead of ethylene glycol.
Your dog is going to burn a lot of extra energy this time of year trying to say warm. Giving them a little extra food will give them the calories they need in wintertime. Make sure they have plenty of water as well to keep them hydrated and prevent dry skin.
Your dog or cat should have somewhere warm to sleep once the temperature drops. A dog or cat bed with a pillow or blanket will do nicely, just make sure it’s off the floor and away from drafts.
Finally, if it’s too cold for you outside, it’s too cold for your pets. Bring them indoors, keeping the same from freezing, becoming disoriented, lost or stolen. Make sure you don’t leave your pet in the car during the winter either. A cold car during this time of year can be just as dangerous as a hot car in the summer.

Pet Nutrition in Winter

Depression, lethargy, and weakness can be some common themes for dogs in the winter time. Much like humans who love the Spring and Summer months, the winter time can be difficult for dogs that are used to warmer temperatures. If you live in a winter state, consider frostbite and hyperthermia as possible problems if you let your dog go outside too much.

According the the Alliance Therapy for Dogs Association “Although dogs may need an extra layer in winter, it should come from the coat and not a layer of fat. Cold temperatures may even bring on lazy behavior and the need for fewer calories. Be attentive to your dog’s activity level and adjust his calories accordingly. A high quality, whole foods, preferably meat-based diet will help ensure a healthy coat and good energy for the cold winter months.”.

Here at Happy Critters we suggest adjusting your dogs level of intake based on his or her mood. If your feeding your dog very little during the winter months and your dog seems lethargic, depressed, or lazy, increase their food intake and find a way to supplement their activity levels with either outdoor or indoor activities.

Best Raw Pet Food in Pennsylvania

At Happy Critters Pet Food we’re committed to safe, healthy and happy pets, which is why we’re proud to offer the best raw pet food in Pennsylvania, with a large variety designed to appeal to a range of different dogs.

Contact us today to learn more about our foods and the ordering process. We look forward to giving your pet a new dining experience, all year long.