December 21 was the first official day of winter, but here in Colorado it’s been getting colder for the last few months. Not only is the temperature lower, but the days are also shorter which means less natural sunlight to warm you and your pets up while you’re outside! Winter weather doesn’t mean that you shouldn’t go on new adventures with your pets or enjoy the great outdoors, but it does mean you should take a few extra things into consideration when planning your outings.
This post is sponsored by Sleepypod. I am being compensated to help share information about Sleepypod, but Beagles & Bargains only shares information we feel is relevant to our readers.
Tips to Keep Your Pets Warm & Safe This Winter
Know Your Dog
Some dogs are built to spend extended amounts of time outside in cold weather and snow. Some dogs (like Luna) shiver as soon as the temperature drops below 60 degrees. Don’t go on any crazy adventures where you’re outside for hours until you feel like you know your dog’s limits in terms of cold weather.
Go Out During the Day
Even though the days are shorter in winter, daytime can be much warmer than it’s dark counterpart thanks to the heat from the sun. Plan your trips to end before the sun goes down (between 4 and 5 PM). It may mean you have to shave an hour or two off compared to summer adventures, but it’s worth it to keep everyone safe and warm.
Stay Home and Snuggle with a Blanket
Now this shouldn’t be what you do every single day this winter, but there is no harm in doing it every once in a while. Pick out a good blanket and maybe even get your dog a special one like our favorites – the Cloudpuff Blanket from Sleepypod – or make one out of some good fleece or an old sweatshirt!
Check and Protect Paws
The health of your dog’s paws is extremely important. You want to ensure that they don’t dry out or get damaged from all the ice, snow, and salt winter tends to bring. Be sure to wipe down and wash your dog’s paws after going outside. You can also try using Pawz or another shoe/bootie to protect your dog’s paws. These can even help keep them dry, which will help keep them warmer too!
Towel Them Off
After a fun day of playing in the snow, be sure to towel your dog off as soon as you get inside. Removing the excess moisture will help your dog warm up faster now that they are inside.
Check the Weather
Stay on top of the weather, so you know if any severe weather (big snow storm) is coming. This will help you plan your adventures accordingly and stock up on any goodies before the weather comes.
Keep Dogs Inside
While the saying “if you’re cold, they’re cold” isn’t always true, it is a good rule of thumb. Go back to #1 and know your dog. If you have a Husky, Great Pyrenees, or another dog built for cold that’s one thing, but many other dog breeds won’t do well outside in the cold for an extended time without the proper care or preparation. If it’s too cold for you or there is expected severe weather, you shouldn’t keep your dog outside unsupervised for an extended amount of time.
Don’t Forget About Travel
When you’re on the road, make sure you are keeping an eye on the car climate to ensure your pet is a good temperature as well. My boyfriend likes to keep the car FREEZING when we’re on road trips, so we always pack a few extra blankets to prevent the dogs and I from turning into snowmen. The Cloudpuff Blankets from Sleepypod are a great size for the dogs in the car and they just love snuggling up with them!
If you’re pet rides in a carrier, you can also use a blanket to keep them warm. Sleepypod also makes a Universal Warmer Kit that is compatible with their carriers. Of course, it’s important to not overuse a warming pad like this, but it can be a great tool to keep pets who like things on the warmer side more comfortable.
Does your dog enjoy the cold? How do you keep them warm?
Want to save these tips for later? Save these winter safety tips for pets by pinning the image below on Pinterest!
Disclaimer: I am being compensated to help spread the word about the Sleepypod. I received no other compensation or additional benefits for mentioning the brands or products in this post. The opinions and ideas in this post are my own and are uninfluenced by any other person or business.
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