7 Winter Security Myths about Canines You Shouldn’t Consider

In the course of the summer season months, there’s a number of speak in regards to the risks of leaving your canine out in the summertime warmth.
Nonetheless, as soon as winter rolls round, folks don’t appear to be as involved in regards to the temperatures.
In fact, it’s frequent for folks to remind canine house owners to convey their pups indoors in a single day when the climate drops beneath freezing. However, apart from that, there’s not a lot to fret about, proper?
Mistaken.
Sadly, there are a number of myths about winter climate and canine security, so right this moment I need to speak about 7 stuff you merely shouldn’t imagine in an effort to maintain your canine protected.
Have you ever mistakenly believed any of the next myths?
Discover out now…

Fable #1 – Fur Protects All Canines from Chilly Climate
All canine originate from wild canine. And wild canine don’t have properties to maintain heat in throughout the winter.
Due to this fact, all canine have adequate fur coats to soundly keep heat within the winter, proper?
The reply is not any.
Our canine’ ancestors have been geared up to dwell in cold-weather climates. And a few canine (resembling huskies) are nonetheless genetically designed to have fur coats that can maintain them heat in harsh climates.
That being stated, a big majority of the pet canine now we have now have been bred to have much less hair and easily can’t thrive in chilly climate anymore.
Some canine, resembling Brittany Spaniels or Chihuahuas, don’t also have a double coat anymore. This places them at excessive danger for getting ailing and even dying if they’re ignored within the chilly for too lengthy.
You probably have a canine that you just plan on leaving outdoors full-time throughout the winter, you higher ensure that he’s a breed that’s designed for chilly climate.
Moreover, even when your canine has the proper fur kind to dwell outdoors within the chilly, it’s important that you just present your pup with a doghouse or some type of shelter he can use to get out of the rain, snow, and wind.
Within the wild, a heat den protects wild canine from freezing to dying. Your pup wants the identical setup to make sure his security.

Fable #2 – Canines Can’t Get Fleas/Ticks within the Winter

A surprising variety of folks cease utilizing flea and tick meds within the winter to avoid wasting cash.
In any case, it is smart as most bugs die within the winter, proper?
Sadly, this can be a quite common false impression. Actually, because the temperatures begin to drop, bugs usually search refuge in your house to remain heat. And, whether or not you understand it or not, they will nonetheless be lurking round your private home, on the lookout for a meals supply—a.okay.a. your canine.
Sure, the chance that your canine will get fleas or ticks actually drops throughout the winter.
However chilly temperatures don’t routinely shield your pet.
To make sure your canine doesn’t find yourself sick as a consequence of ticks and fleas, I like to recommend you regulate your canine year-round.
You probably have reservations in regards to the remedy and need to reduce the utilization or lower your expenses, then I perceive. That’s why I absolutely advocate you think about using a flea bomb. These bombs will truly kill the flea eggs that aren’t in your canine and can break the cycle, which means that you’re protected from fleas for longer.

Fable #3 – Canines Don’t Want Paw Safety for Walks within the Snow
Earlier than we go away the home, we placed on footwear. The rationale: We have to shield our ft.
Nonetheless, we don’t usually give a lot thought to our pups’ ft after we take our canine out of the home as a result of their paws are designed to go barefoot.
Because of this, the concept of placing boots in your canine when it snows may not ever cross your thoughts.
And, truthfully, is it actually even crucial?
The reply is sure and no.
Consider it like this…
Within the winter, folks put on gloves to maintain their fingers from getting chilly. So should you’re out for an extended stroll or to play within the snow, you’d put your gloves on to maintain your palms heat and protected.
On the flip aspect, should you’re merely operating out for a minute to seize the mail, you most likely wouldn’t put gloves on as a result of your palms gained’t be uncovered to the chilly for lengthy.
The identical logic applies to canine breeds that aren’t designed to exit within the snow.
Should you’re letting your canine out to go pee, it’s most likely not crucial so that you can shield his ft.
Nonetheless, should you’re taking your canine on an extended stroll by way of the woods and the bottom is snowy and chilly, doggy boots are vital.
Whereas canine have robust paw pads, some are inclined to frostbite and ought to be protected similar to you’d put on gloves to guard your fingers.
In case your canine spends a number of time outdoors within the snow however isn’t constructed for chilly climate, it is perhaps a good suggestion to spend money on a pair of canine booties. Yow will discover them in any pet retailer!

Fable #4 – It’s Protected for Canines to Eat Snow

Snow is simply solidified rain water, so it’s completely protected on your canine to eat it, proper?
The reply to this query actually is determined by the place you reside.
Should you dwell within the suburbs or metropolis, it will possibly truly be very harmful on your canine to eat snow.
The rationale: Snow plows and ice vehicles usually dump harmful chemical substances on the roads to maintain them from icing over. These chemical substances can then spill over into the snow and make your canine extraordinarily sick if he ingests it.
Should you dwell out within the nation the place the roads aren’t handled with chemical substances, then it’s sometimes protected on your canine to eat the snow. Simply guarantee it’s clear snow and there’s no trash hidden in it!
And don’t neglect…moderation is essential!
In a nutshell…concentrate on your environment, and use your greatest judgment. A bowl of unpolluted water is at all times the most effective and most secure possibility on your pup.
In case your canine actually loves consuming frozen treats, spoil him with one in every of these popsicle recipes.

Fable #5 – You Can Depart Your Canine in a Automotive throughout the Winter As a result of It’s Not Sizzling
Final however not least, lots of people suppose it’s okay to depart a canine in a automotive throughout the winter months as a result of it’s not sizzling outdoors.
There are just a few flaws in that logic.
First, simply because it’s not sizzling out doesn’t imply that the solar isn’t sizzling.
All vehicles are like little mini-greenhouses. Because the day goes on, the solar has the ability to heat your automotive up. And relying on the surface temperature, the photo voltaic warmth in your automotive can undoubtedly attain temps that aren’t protected on your pup.
Second, it’s doable that it might get too chilly in your automotive—particularly on a cloudy day.
In case your warmth just isn’t operating and you allow your canine out in your automotive for too lengthy, he may get dangerously chilly.
Lastly, vehicles aren’t at all times the most secure locations for canine, whatever the temperature. For instance, somebody might simply steal your pup out of your automotive, or your canine might get into one thing that might damage him when left alone.
Should you’re operating a fast errand like dropping a examine off on the financial institution, then your pup ought to be fantastic in your automotive. Nonetheless, should you’re going to be away out of your canine for greater than 15 minutes or if you’ll be parked within the full sunshine, it’s greatest to only go away your canine at dwelling.

Fable #6 – Canines Can Be Left Outside As Lengthy As They Are in a Kennel
Leaving your canine outdoors with out safety is unhealthy. However leaving a canine outdoors in freezing climate with entry to a kennel is okay, proper?
Nicely…the reply is form of sure and no.
There are some thick-coated canine, resembling huskies, that may be left outdoors so long as they’ve a spot the place they will get out of the rain/wind/snow.
Nonetheless, there are additionally tons of different breeds—like Chihuahuas or Labs—that simply don’t have the proper coat varieties for staying heat in freezing temperatures.
Additionally, do your analysis, and speak to your vet earlier than leaving your canine outdoors in a single day—even you probably have a kennel.

Fable #7 – Canines Solely Want a Blanket on the Flooring to Keep Heat and Comfy
Sure, there are some canine which have thick coats and like sleeping on exhausting, chilly surfaces resembling hardwood flooring or tile.
Nonetheless, many—if not most—canine would like a snug, cozy canine mattress.
Why?
First, a thick canine mattress will help maintain a canine heat and comfortable on freezing days.
Second, very like people, chilly climate could cause a canine’s joint ache to flare up or make a canine extra stiff. Because of this, it’s good to present a canine the choice to put someplace mushy and heat up.
Personally, my canine love cozying up with a heat alpaca blanket.
Take a peek beneath at the place my canine sleep!
 
Whereas a blanket is healthier than nothing, a canine mattress is at all times a pleasant deal with for canine who need to keep heat and comfortable within the winter—particularly should you don’t let your canine on the furnishings.

Undecided in case your canine is having a tough time with the chilly or not?
I put collectively a FREE information to assist canine house owners out this winter and to maintain canine protected.
↓Obtain my FREE information “Three Indicators Your Canine Is Too Chilly” right here↓

So, how did you do? Have you ever ever fallen for one of many frequent winter myths above?
Let me know within the feedback beneath!
Oh, and if you understand every other myths that we didn’t speak about on this weblog, I’d love to listen to about them. Depart your delusion for me to learn within the feedback beneath as properly.
Nicely…I hope you discovered a factor or two right this moment that can assist maintain your canine protected and heat this season.
 
Benefit from the snow,
 

~Doggy Dan
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