The winter season is typically one reserved for celebrations and reunions. It’s a joyous time for many people around the world, but it can also be a bit challenging. If you’re a dog owner, you are especially wary of this season because of its potential impact on your pet.
Dogs are more susceptible to illness during the winter season. Even spending a bit of extra time outdoors could spell trouble for them.
Keep your pet safe by following the winter safety tips we’ve included in this series of articles. Let’s start with the first set of tips below.
Maintain Ideal Home Humidity for Your Dog
Most pet owners already know that high humidity is bad for dogs. During the winter, dog owners are urged to keep humidity levels inside their homes under control so their pets can maintain ideal body temperature. When humidity levels get too high, dogs struggle to regulate their body temperature and they may get too warm as a result.
Notably, high humidity is not the only thing you need to worry about. The low humidity that accompanies the winter season is troublesome as well.
Low humidity is bad for dogs mainly because it causes dry and irritated skin. The dryness can be directly tied to the lower humidity while the irritation is usually a byproduct of dogs scratching a lot. Dogs tend to scratch more when the humidity is low because bacteria are able to infiltrate their coats more easily.
You can address this potential issue by using a humidifier. Look for pet humidifiers online and check their reviews to find the product that is getting the best feedback.
Once you have your humidifier, you need to set it to the right level. This article from Purdue University notes that the ideal humidity range for dogs is somewhere around 30 to 70 percent. If you also have a cat, you want to limit the range to 30 to 50 percent.
Be Mindful of the Cold Temperatures During Winter Season
Generally speaking, you can judge if the weather is too cold for your pet by checking it yourself.
Try to spend some time outdoors and see how the temperature feels. If you can stay outside for a while with just a coat on, then you should be able to take your pet for a walk. If you’re freezing up within seconds, then you should probably postpone the walk or keep it short at the very least.
Adopt the same principle inside your home. Don’t assume that your dog will be comfortable inside a room if you’re freezing there. Heat it up a bit so your dog can get nice and cozy.
Build Up Your Dog’s Resistance to the Cold
Inevitably, you will have to take your puppy out for walks while it’s cold outside. To mitigate the impact that exposure will have on your dog, you should start gradually get them used to the cold.
Even before winter begins, you should try spending more time outside with your dog so they can get acclimated to the weather. Allow them to grow comfortable in their chilly surroundings so winter walks become easier to manage.
Make sure your dog is always comfortable during their winter walks by hiring a reputable sitter. We at TAILored Pet Services can do that for you. Try out our services today by either calling 425-923-7791 or by contacting through our website.
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