Recommended Care for a Dog in Winter

With the arrival of cold weather and winter rain, certain measures are needed so our dog can get through winter well, comfortably and without getting sick.

Remember that puppies and elderly dogs are the most vulnerable to the effects of cold, so we need to be even more careful with them.

Should I Bundle Up My Dog If It's Cold?

Many people put coats and even sweaters on their dogs to protect them from the winter cold, especially when going out for a walk. But... is it really necessary?

It depends — Nordic breeds or large breeds generally don't need any kind of protection from the cold, but small breeds, and especially "mini" ones, do need help so they don't freeze.

Our dog's health and age will also influence whether it needs some type of coat to help it stay warm, especially when temperatures drop below zero (when it's freezing).

You can find detailed information here: When to bundle up a dog.

Baths and Rain

To properly care for a dog in winter, we need to be aware that if it's cold and our dog is wet, it's very likely to get sick, potentially catching anything from a cold to a serious respiratory illness.

We just need to use a bit of common sense and dry our dog with a towel when we get back from a walk if it rained and it's wet. An even better idea is to put a raincoat on it to protect it from the rain, so we'll only need to dry its little paws.

If we're planning to bathe our dog, we should do it after the walk. Once bathed, it needs to be dried thoroughly with towels and then with the hair dryer, being careful not to burn it.

Even with all this effort, dogs have two layers of coat and it's really hard to dry them completely, which is why after a bath it's not advisable to go for a walk — better to stay warm at home until it finishes drying.

Does Your Dog Live Indoors or Outdoors?

If our pup lives inside the house with us, we should place its bed somewhere warm, away from drafts that could chill it. Also, putting some old blankets or towels on its bed will help it hold onto heat better.

If our dog lives outside the house, it's very important for it to have a good dog house that protects it from cold, rain, wind, and damp. The best option for this is a wooden house facing south and sheltered from the wind.

Even so, if temperatures drop a lot, it's always advisable to let the dog live inside the home. Dogs are very family-oriented and love always being with their family. Keeping them isolated alone in a yard or patio is really a form of torture.

A Good Fat-Rich Diet

Diet is essential for a dog's health, but especially in winter. Caring for a dog in winter requires feeding it well so it can put on a little weight and be protected against the cold.

There are ready-made dog foods (kibble) that contain a bit more fat than usual, normally intended for working dogs, but in colder climates we can always use them with our dog too.

On the other hand, as you already know, we always recommend feeding our dog natural products, since that's the best possible diet. Don't forget to check out these homemade BARF recipes for dogs.

Puppies and Elderly Dogs

Needless to say, puppies and older dogs are extremely sensitive to weather changes, so we need to be even more careful with them and apply all the tips outlined above.

Don't even think about letting a puppy or an elderly dog live outside in winter, especially in areas where winter is cold and it tends to freeze or even snow. Having a dog is a big responsibility — take care of it like your own family, because to it, you are its family.