A small black and white dog trots across a field with a light layer of snow.

The winter season is approaching, which means that it’s time to make some changes to your dog’s routine. Camp Hill can get pretty chilly from November to February, but that doesn’t have to stop you from having fun with your dog! 

You can prepare your dog for the winter months by making important changes to their routine and investing in good winter equipment. Greenlin Pet Resorts in Camp Hill has got your back, so here are our tips for dog winter care in Central Pennsylvania.

Seasonal Dog Care Means Watching for Cold Weather Dangers

While dog breeds like huskies look forward to the winter months, pups may face some dangerous hazards that pet parents should look out for: 

  • Frostbite: Frostbite is an injury that occurs when cold weather fully freezes the skin and underlying tissues. Dogs can easily get frostbite around their ears, paws, and tails when exposed to cold enough temperatures for too long, even when it’s below freezing on the thermometer. The beginning signs of frostbite are pale gray skin that swells when warming up. Frostbite can cause permanent damage, so make sure to bundle your dog up before going out for walks, and check them thoroughly when you get back for any skin swelling or discoloration.
  • Hypothermia: Another serious concern of staying outside for too long is that the core body temperature of your dog could get too low, becoming a life-threatening condition. The risk of hypothermia is especially great for dogs that are small, short-haired, or far along in the age spectrum, meaning puppies and elderly dogs. Signs of potential hypothermia can include shivering, lethargy, and pale gums. Camp Hill can be cold enough to cause hypothermia, so it’s best to never leave your dog outside unattended. 
  • Antifreeze exposure: Many winter-ready products contain antifreeze, including not only vehicle coolants but also potentially windshield wiper fluids and certain fuel additives. While beneficial for your car during extreme temperatures, antifreeze chemicals are extremely dangerous for pets. Ethylene glycol, the primary component, is highly toxic and causes severe kidney failure, likely to be fatal. It has a taste that may attract dogs, so be vigilant when taking your dog on busy roads where vehicles may leak fluids or into places where these fluids are stored.
  • Thin ice: A dog weighs enough to easily fall through thin ice over a pond, river, or lake. While these areas offer beautiful sights during the winter when frozen over, before letting your dog run around unleashed, check various spots for stability before crossing. Also, avoid letting them run free over the frozen body of water since weak spots could be anywhere. 
  • Fireplaces: Keep any fireplace or space heaters in your home properly separated from the family dog. Embers and coals from a wood fireplace can fly out and burn your dog’s sensitive coat, creating painful lesions. A space heater is a safer alternative, but it can also burn your dog if they sit too close for a long period of time. Also, watch for any flammable materials around these devices, and strongly consider shutting them off before leaving the home.
  • Allergens: Winter allergies are less talked about than spring allergies, but still extremely common. When the air gets drier and the temperature drops, sinuses become sensitive to irritants. Dogs will most commonly develop allergies to mites or mold, as a risk for these conditions surges during winter months with increased use of central heating.  
  • Compromised immune systems: Dogs can get colds just like humans, and extreme weather exposure could increase the risk of symptoms. Dry weather, shared spaces with other dogs, and stress from temperature changes or changed routines can all trigger illnesses — ones the dog normally might be able to fight off during the warmer months. Keep an eye out for symptoms like sneezing, hacking, runny noses, red eyes, loss of appetite, or lethargy.
  • Boredom: While it’s safer inside, it can also be more boring for a hyperactive dog that looks forward to playing outside around Camp Hill. Boredom in dogs can lead to destructive behaviors like chewing, barking, and resource-guarding. A sudden increase in these behaviors can lead to unexpected encounters with hazards like electrical cords, toxic substances, and sharp plastic parts. Spending too much time indoors can also give your pup anxiety because of a lack of stimulation.
  • Holiday plants and food: Many festive foods and decorations can actually be harmful to your family furball. Holly, mistletoe, and yew (pine) are all harmful, and dogs should be supervised around these plants. Christmas desserts and savory roasted dishes should be avoided, as ingredients like chocolate, garlic, onion, grapes, cooked bones, corn, and nuts are all hazardous or toxic to them. Exposure to poisonous plants and ingredients can result in vomiting, diarrhea, lethargy, or other gastrointestinal issues. 

Maintaining Your Dog’s Winter Coat

Your dog’s coat will change throughout the year, shedding to become thinner and lighter in the summer but growing denser in the winter. While every dog breed is different, this is a consistent change in nearly every breed. Double-coated breeds will experience more significant changes to their coat, while single-coated breeds may not notice a drastic difference.

In the spring and summer, your dog may appreciate more consistent brushing to release some of the shedding fur, but in the winter you may notice your dog growing a thicker layer for insulation. During these months, focus on deep brushing that keeps the dog’s natural conditioning oils spread evenly, while removing mats, dirt, and debris. You may also want to consider giving your dog a bath at least once during the winter season since clean fur insulates better than a dirty coat.

One good piece of news is that their winter coat will probably shed less! 

Six Tips for Preparing Your Dog for Winter in Camp Hill

Winter care measures can be hard to stay on top of because they depart from your dog’s typical routine, but there are many simple ways to keep your dog comfortable throughout the cold months: 

  • Invest in canine clothes: Cozy sweaters and vests aren’t just fashionable accessories for your pup; they can also be important winter gear to keep them insulated when going outside. Not all breeds will like to wear clothes. More specifically, thick-coated dogs won’t need the extra insulation, but short-haired breeds will benefit from the extra warmth along and protection from the dry winter air.
  • Bust out the warm bedding: It’s that time of year again: warm blankets and cuddles with your favorite pup. Even with the thermostat up, it can get very cold in certain spots in the house. Your dog will want to snuggle up in a cozy blanket the same way you do after a long day, so don’t be shocked to see them warming up in your favorite throw! If you’d rather not share, buy them dedicated cold-weather dog beds or bedding to keep them cozy all season long.
  • Use dog boots and paw balm: Paw care is essential in the winter because icy sidewalks and the cold, wet ground can be tough on your pup’s sensitive paws. Without proper paw care, your pup may experience painful cracking, scraping, and blistering. A paw balm will keep their paw pads moisturized, and dog boots will protect them from dangerous conditions.
  • Keep their dog bed away from cold drafts: Throughout most of the year, your dog probably gravitates to places like windows and doors so they can watch what’s happening outside. However, in the winter you may notice your pup avoiding their favorite places. Before you get alarmed, remember that dogs get just as uncomfortable around cold spots and drafts around the house as you do, so accommodate them by moving their bed to a warmer spot close to a heat register or in front of the fireplace.
  • Seek out indoor playtime: Sometimes playing outside can feel more like a chore than an activity. Many dogs will want to avoid conditions like snow, wind, or icy sidewalks, so incorporating more indoor playtime into your pup’s routine is a productive way to keep them busy throughout the cold months. No indoor space? No problem! Your pup will love the indoor equipment at Greenlin’s Camp Hill dog daycare.  
  • Consider a caloric adjustment: Depending on the dog’s age and genes, your pup may either burn more or less energy in the wintertime. For dogs that use more energy, usually to stay warm, you may consider increasing their meal portions to accommodate for the extra calories they burn. On the flip side, if your dog is a snuggle bug and expels less energy in the cold seasons, you might slightly decrease their portion size to avoid them packing on the extra winter weight.

Turning Greenlin Pet Resorts Camp Hill Dog Daycare Into a Winter Wonderland

When it gets cold outside, there may be fewer ways to keep your pup entertained throughout the day. The cold doesn’t have to spoil your pup’s daily fun: simple adjustments to their daily enrichment can make a positive difference in their winter spirits. 

Greenlin Pet Resorts in Camp Hill has a spacious indoor activity center full of fun equipment, toys, and open play areas. Whether your pup needs a warm place to spend the day while you’re at work or you’re leaving town for the holidays, Greenlin has you covered with a variety of day packages, overnight stays, and training courses to give your dog a fun-filled winter season. To learn more about this facility, call (717) 737-2223 or contact us online.  

Posted in Pet Safety Category