Winter is long in the Midwest. For owners of active dogs, it can be challenging to make sure they get enough exercise in the winter. For the dogs who love snow and spending time outdoors during winter, we want to make sure they can stay outside and active while still being safe. Whether you’re taking your dog out for a walk, a run, or other activity, we’ve got you covered with a list of things to consider to keep your pup safe, healthy, and comfortable during your winter outings!
Things to think about before a cold weather dog walk
Before you take your dog out in the cold and the snow, consider the following:
For your dog:
- Make sure your dog is the breed and/or personality type that likes snow and can handle the cold weather.
- Be aware of your dog’s fitness level. If you don’t know how fit your dog is, consult your vet.
- Make sure your dog is adequately protected from the elements and stays warm. If your dog isn’t naturally inclined toward cold weather and snow, think about a dog sweater or dog jacket.
- If the temperature is below freezing, be sure that you don’t keep your dog out too long. In cold temperatures 20 degrees and above: Large dogs should be outside no more than one minute per degree. Medium dogs can be outside for 30 seconds per degree. Small dogs can only withstand 15 seconds per degree and extra small dogs, 7 seconds per degree.
- Take special care of your dog’s paws in the cold! Here’s a more in-depth look at winter paw care for your dog.
- Bring a stash of waste bags, water, a collapsible bowl for food and water, and some treats. Your pup can always use a snack and drink to keep their energy up!
- Bring a first aid kit and any other supplies you might need on a longer walk or activity.
- Track your dog’s location with a GPS tracking collar. Some of these can even track the dog’s activity by counting steps, distance traveled, calories burned, and more!
For you:
- You’ll need a warm winter outfit. Make sure you have winter boots, a warm coat, snow pants, winter gloves, and a warm hat.
- If you’ll be outside for a long time, or if the weather is very cold, consider hand warmers. These things can be life-changing if you slip them into your gloves, boots, or pockets.
- Get a travel mug and fill it up with coffee, tea, hot chocolate, or your other favorite hot beverage.
- If there’s a lot of snow on the ground, and it’s sunny out, sunglasses can make your life so much better.
Follow this winter dog walk checklist and your furry friend will be comfortable, safe, and happy even in the cold! You’ll both be able to enjoy the winter months all that much more! This checklist can be used for any winter outing, not just walks!
For all of your pet care needs, check out farmandfleet.com. There are more great articles like this on our Pet Care blog!
