Walking dogs in the snow — 6 essential safety tips

Dog walking in snow (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Walking your dog in the snowfall sounds like fun, but it does come up with its challenges. Considering of the depression temperatures, icy conditions and shorter days, taking your dog out at this fourth dimension of yr can exist quite hazardous. Frostbite and hypothermia are just a few possibilities and antifreeze tin oft exist found on the ground, then you need to take precautions.

Mostly speaking, dogs beloved the snowfall and can handle the lower temperatures information technology brings. Plus, walking your dog is essential to go on up regular exercise — so, it's important that you still take your pooch out so long equally information technology'southward prophylactic. Here are 6 safety precautions yous should take when walking your domestic dog in the snow. (And afterwards you're done with your walk, why not warm yourself upwardly by learning how to make hot chocolate?)

i. Protect paws

Dog wearing boots in the snow (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Dashing through the snow can betrayal your pooch's paws to ice assurance, melting salts, and harmful chemicals — not to mention frostbite. Protect paws with wintertime dog booties or rubber boots to forestall icy particles and snow forming between toes and the pads of their paws. We recommend the Breathable Domestic dog Walking Shoes ($21, Amazon) or the Pawz Waterproof Canis familiaris Boots ($xiv, Chewy) to protect wet paws.

If you have a fussy pup who doesn't like wearing anything on their feet, yous tin can coat paws with a protective wax-cream, such as Paw Pad Protection Balm ($11.99, Amazon) instead. But remember to wipe your pooch's paws thoroughly before going back indoors.

2. Wrap pups up warm

Dog in sweater in the snow (Image credit: Shutterstock)

While near dogs cope pretty well in the cold, there are certain small breeds that are susceptible to colder temperatures. These include pups with short coats or those with low body fatty.

Protect pups with a water-resistant glaze or sweater to proceed them extra warm and to prevent them from shivering during winter walks. We recommend the Jecikelon Pet Domestic dog Wearing apparel ($9, Amazon) if you need inspiration.

iii. Keep pups on a leash in the snow

Dog on a leash walking in the snow — (Image credit: Shutterstock)

While dogs dearest zero more than than to run effectually and frolic in the snow, in that location are a number of dangerous things to be mindful of. Besides slipping and falling, our excitable canines could unwittingly run into frozen lakes or pools of water and risk falling through the water ice.

It's always best to keep dogs on a leash while walking through snow, and proceed to plowed sidewalks to avert hidden dangers.

4. Proceed dogs abroad from antifreeze, salt and other dangerous chemicals

Paw print in the snow (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Information technology's mutual for salt or antifreeze to exist used to melt ice on the ground, however these toxic chemicals could be fatal for dogs if ingested. Antifreeze in particular has a sweet taste that can attract pups, so avoid walking through areas with puddles of spilled-over antifreeze, and rinse their paws every bit soon as you get in. This is to forbid them from licking their paws and ingesting harmful chemicals.

Similarly, table salt dust used to dissolve snow can irritate your dog'southward skin, and may cause burns on paws after prolonged contact. There are pet-safety alternatives though if y'all're wondering how to remove ice from a driveway.

5. Don't permit your pooch swallow the snowfall

Dog eating snowfall (Image credit: Shutterstock)

Although it may be tempting for your pooch to munch on the appealing snowfall, this could be unsafe for their health. Non simply can information technology lower the body'due south temperature which tin can cause serious hypothermia, only it tin besides contain sharp objects or harmful chemicals, such as melting salt.

vi. Limit the time when walking your dog in the snow

Dog running with stick in mouth — Dog running with stick in oral fissure (Image credit: Shutterstock)

If you have a daily routine, limit the corporeality of time you spend walking in the snow with your pooch. This volition preclude frostbite, hypothermia or any other consequences of exposure to common cold air. In addition, always wait out for signs of broken-hearted behavior, including whining, stopping, slowing down or excessive shivering.

If you practise notice whatsoever of these, you should caput back indoors immediately, and continue towels past the door to dry them off thoroughly. What'southward more, dogs with specific health atmospheric condition such every bit thyroid disease or chronic lung issues, should have limited exposure during winter walks.

In improver, always carry a flashlight with yous during walks. As the days grow darker much earlier, a flashlight volition exist helpful in times of depression visibility or extreme weather conditions.

How long tin I walk my domestic dog in the winter?

Woman walking dog in the snow (Image credit: Shutterstock)

During colder months, most good for you medium or big dogs can walk for 30 minutes in temperatures above 20 degrees Fahrenheit, while smaller pups should ideally walk from 15 to xx minutes if the temperature is between 20 to 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Of course, if it'south below 0 degrees, it'south advisable non to walk your dog at all to avoid hypothermia.

Cynthia Lawrence specialises in Homes ecommerce, roofing all things homes and garden-related. She has a wealth of editorial experience testing the latest, 'must-have' dwelling house appliances, writing buying guides and the handy 'how to' features.

Her work has been published in various titles including, T3, Top Ten Reviews, Ideal Abode, Real Homes, Livingetc. and Firm Beautiful, amidst many.

With a rather unhealthy obsession for all things homes and interiors, she also has an interior design web log for style inspiration and savvy storage solutions (get rid of that clutter!). When she'south non testing cool products, she'll be searching online for more than decor ideas to spruce up her family home or looking for a great bargain!