Photo of warm dog courtesy of MLive (think that cold state of Michigan!)
We're expecting some frigid weather here in Central Ohio tonight and for the first few days of the week—wind chill temps between 25-40 degrees below zero, they say. And that doesn't count the snow that's soon to be falling. It's not looking good for my walk tomorrow, Parental Unit says, because I don't have a coat or little booties for my paws (or perhaps she doesn't want to go out in 40 below weather).
Regardless of your wind chill factor, there are some common sense steps you should take to protect your pooch from the cold. This article from MLive does a good job of explaining the most important ways pet owners can keep their dog safe and warm in frigid temperatures. For those macho types who poo-poo a dog wearing a coat, the idea is to keep the body's core warm—and depending on how long you're out in the cold, a coat is probably a good idea for even breeds with lots of fur. And dogs can also get frostbite on their paw-pads, so prolonged exposure to concrete or asphalt can be dangerous. That's where those doggie boots come in handy. And by the way, don't leave your dog unattended in a car—it's not just the build-up of intense heat that can kill Fido, a dog's body temperture can drop dangerously low very quickly, and those quick errands can take longer than you think.
So...are you all bundled up and ready for the storm? Here's hoping our water pipes don't freeze and our furnace keeps working!
I'll take another blanket, please...
We're expecting some frigid weather here in Central Ohio tonight and for the first few days of the week—wind chill temps between 25-40 degrees below zero, they say. And that doesn't count the snow that's soon to be falling. It's not looking good for my walk tomorrow, Parental Unit says, because I don't have a coat or little booties for my paws (or perhaps she doesn't want to go out in 40 below weather).
Regardless of your wind chill factor, there are some common sense steps you should take to protect your pooch from the cold. This article from MLive does a good job of explaining the most important ways pet owners can keep their dog safe and warm in frigid temperatures. For those macho types who poo-poo a dog wearing a coat, the idea is to keep the body's core warm—and depending on how long you're out in the cold, a coat is probably a good idea for even breeds with lots of fur. And dogs can also get frostbite on their paw-pads, so prolonged exposure to concrete or asphalt can be dangerous. That's where those doggie boots come in handy. And by the way, don't leave your dog unattended in a car—it's not just the build-up of intense heat that can kill Fido, a dog's body temperture can drop dangerously low very quickly, and those quick errands can take longer than you think.
So...are you all bundled up and ready for the storm? Here's hoping our water pipes don't freeze and our furnace keeps working!
I'll take another blanket, please...
