Q: With the weather changes how important is it really to keep our dogs inside? I mean they have fur coats don’t they? – Tina, Sugar Hill
A: It is true that a lot of us have nice fur coats to keep us warm and some of us are even bred for cold. But the winter does provide many of us with interesting challenges, especially with Georgia’s weather unpredictability.
Many of my friends deal with cold in different ways. Some of us enjoy the cold weather such as my huskie pals and many of my retriever cousins. Others need a little more protection such as doggy coats or sweaters or my personal favorites, vests. Like people’s clothes, not all sweaters are created equal. If the weather is too cold for you than more than likely it is too cold for us, so be sure to provide some kind of shelter for us, or better yet bring us inside.
Snow and ice can also provide unique challenges. Many of my small breed friends are not fans of the snow coming over their heads or touching their bellies and may refuse to go outside. It may be necessary to clear a path for these little guys so that they can use the bathroom.
Cold weather brings us into contact with things inside the house that can cause us harm such as antifreeze and fireplaces. Antifreeze is sweet to the taste but is extremely toxic. For those of my friends that like to stay warm by the fire please make sure that there is a grate to keep embers from rolling out and burning us.
These are just a few tips to help keep us safe during the cold!
Ask Henry at SugarHillAnimalHospital.com.
