December 2010

Teddy and Quinn pause on the shoveled path.

Winter has come early to this part of western New York State and the snowfall has already been above average for this time of year.  Temperatures have been abnormally low as well. I am accustomed to many years of snow but the first significant snow always manages to catch me off guard. The same seems true for the dogs.  The first sign of snow and suddenly Quinn is reluctant to find a spot to eliminate.  Lena might look out the door and pull her head back in, like a turtle disturbed by a child. Only Teddy seems to relish the snow. Maybe it’s his Tibetan roots. He rolls in it and will sit for long periods, nose in the air, while his body absorbs the falling snowflakes.

Winter can present challenges for dog owners. Dogs with short fur, like Lena, or that are small, like Teddy or Quinn, can quickly become cold. Although Quinn has a magnificent heavy coat his paws are not so well covered. If the temperatures are below 15° F and there is snow on the ground he may spend only a few minutes outside before he sits down and lifts his front paws due to the cold.

Dogs that have trouble in very cold temperatures need special care. While most toy dogs are not cold tolerant, size is not the only indicator. Dogs with low body mass, thin coats or very little fat fall into this category. Limit the time spent outdoors during the worst weather and be sure to accompany them outdoors to monitor their condition. Winter cold and snow often means less exercise for your dog. Dog coats and boots can help extend outdoor time for your dog to achieve the exercise he needs.

Quality coats and boots that fit your dog’s needs are not easy to find. You may be able to find a variety of very silly inexpensive jackets, vests and coats at the local big box pet store. I say silly because your dog doesn’t care whether he/she looks like a biker or a princess.  Sure, these might be fun, but they don’t necessarily help in truly cold weather.

Lena with two coats and neck warmer

Winter Coats

Criteria for a great coat:

• warm
• keeps the dog dry
• coverage
• easy to use
• the right size

For warmth, select a coat with a filler or liner. The filler can be poly-fill or down and good liners include fleece, wool or Thinsulate. If you read coat reviews make sure that the reviewer lives in an area compatible with your climate. If I was picking a winter coat for myself I wouldn’t trust the review of someone who never experienced sub-zero temperatures where they live. It is important, especially in rainy or snowy parts of the world, to buy a coat with a water resistant outer layer. Coats made solely of polar fleece may get too wet and fleece is a magnet for  dirt, leaves, burrs and all kinds of things. The coat should cover the chest and belly, the more coverage, the better. Coats that cover a dog’s rump can add more protection, but shouldn’t interfere with the tail or his ability to eliminate. Coats can always be used in layers that can easily change according to the daily temperature.  The coat must be easy to use. If the coat is not easy to put on and take off you will be less likely to use it on your dog.  The type of buckles and closures also play a role in your decision. Velcro is the easiest closure to work with. Too many buckles and snaps will slow down the process.  Coats with legs on them are usually harder to put on, but can be worth the trouble for dogs with joint problems. Another part of use is how the dog moves in the garment. If the coat restricts movement then the dog might have trouble on stairs or slippery surfaces.  Not all dog’s take readily to wearing a coat, be sure to give your dog time to get used to his. The right size is very important so measure your dog according to the specific manufacturer’s guidelines. Don’t rely on breed size. Lena is a very small Doberman and almost always needs a smaller coat than those recommended for her breed.

A few coats to look at include: Obtrack Skrylle Dog Coat; Canine Styles Down Puffer Coat;  K9 Topcoat’s Bodysuits and Kodiak and Puff-Doggy Thinsulate Coat.  All of these coats cost between $60 and $200 full retail. If they are beyond your budget other options include layering 2 or more less expensive coats or making your own. Patterns are available from Butterick, McCall’s, Simplicity, and Kwiksew.

Boots

The ideal dog boot should:

• stay on the paws
• keep paws warm and dry
• not alter a dog’s gait
• enhance traction

Buying the right boots for dogs can be very frustrating. I have wasted a lot of money on dog boots, including one set that was custom made.  There are two primary problems with most dog boots: they fall off easily and they are awkward for the dog to move in, making the dog “goose step”. Some dogs do become acclimated but many do not.  I have found only one boot that comes close to meeting these criteria – Pawz Dog Boots.  Admittedly the first time a friend showed me these boots I was skeptical. They look like a thick party balloon. The opening that slips over the paws is very small and appears as if they will never go on the dog. I also did not like the fact that they were “disposable”.  But when Lena had spine surgery nearly 2 years ago these were the only boots that helped maintain her footing during her recovery. The surgery left her completely paralyzed in all four limbs for nearly 2 months and once she started walking again she was weak and uncoordinated. Several months of intense physical therapy helped her gain her strength again.  (for a brief description and video of Lena’s miraculous recovery see www.thera-vet.com)

What I like about these boots:

• stay on
• keep the dog’s paws warm,
• great on slippery surfaces
• dog can feel the ground through the boots
• doesn’t alter the dog’s gait
• made from rubber

What I don’t like about these boots:

• may warm up too much – don’t leave them on for extended periods
• seem very tight around the wrist
• disposable

If anyone has had great luck with other dog boots, let me know.

Other Winter Tips

• Snow Removal

When I was a child my father used his snow blower to create a path around the backyard for our Golden Retriever Heidi. I am sure the neighbors thought he was crazy but it really made it easier for her in the winter. I don’t own a snow blower but when the snow is deep enough I shovel a path around our backyard. It’s also important to keep the access clear to whatever door your dog uses.  Remove ice on walkways, decks and porches to prevent falls.

• Anti-freeze

Be careful using anti-freeze in areas that your dog uses. Clean up any spills immediately and store it out of their reach. This is a deadly poison.

• Frozen bodies of water

Keep your dog away from frozen lakes, rivers, streams and ponds during the winter. This is particularly critical during periods of thaws.  If they fall through the ice the chances of saving them are very slim.

• Go outside with your dog

It is important for you to go outdoors to monitor your dog during very cold weather. And never leave them out for extended periods.

• Keep your dog active

It’s hard to get outside during really cold weather. Consider taking dog classes with your dog. Agility, obedience, freestyle, tracking or flyball are all fun activities that you and your dog might enjoy.