Get “Pet Ready” for the Cold Weather: Products to Keep Your Dog Healthy and Happy
Here in Chicago we have been fortunate to see very little inclement winter so far this year, but temps are quickly dropping and snow, sleet and ice are on their way.
Here are some of our favorite tips and products to keep your pup healthy, happy and entertained on snowy, icy and cold days.
For starters, keep your sidewalks and steps clear of ice and snow, while keeping your pet safe with Safe Paw Ice Melter. Safe Paw is “the only 100% salt-free ice melter on the market and it is 100% safe for pets, children, surfaces, and the environment. Safe Paw’s pellets are green to make it easy for consumers to distinguish it from rock salt and salt-based ice melter.” We buy this stuff by the case 🙂
If your dog does spend time outdoors on walks or at a daycare with an outdoor area, a paw protection wax like Mushers Secret or a great pair of dog boots are essential.
Dog boots can often be costly and are sometimes difficult to put on, let alone KEEP on your dog. . .(not to mention many of us have had the unfortunate experience of buying an expensive pair of dog boots only to find that your dog either refuses to walk with them on, OR one of the four gets lost on walk. . .leaving you with three unuseable boots).
The greatest thing to happen to dog foot protection ever are Pawz Boots! Pawz rubber boots come in sizes that fit even the tiniest paws (xxs) all the way up to the very biggest (XXL) and are disposable! Each package of Pawz boots comes with 12 individual booties so you don’t have to worry if you lose one or tear one. They are reusable, waterproof and super easy to get on and off your pup. Not to mention they are very reasonably priced and available at many places!
If you have a short haired breed or a dog who gets cold easily, there are some really great coats and warm weather clothing items available on the market.
The products from Gold Paw Series are particularly excellent! They offer amazingly lightweight stretch fleece coats and pullovers in a wide range of sizes for all pets. The best part is that all the Gold Paw gear comes in long lengths, so they literally have your whole dog covered. This is a common issue with owner’s of longer and larger breeds who have trouble finding apparel that is warm, and yet still long enough to cover the entire dog without leaving easily weather-worn and wind chapped buns hanging out 🙂 Gold Paw offers fleece pullovers, double layer fleece pullovers, waterproof coats and lots of other high quality items on their website HERE.
It is of course important to remember to not ever leave your dog outside for extended periods of time when the weather is too cold. A good rule of thumb is that if it is too cold for you, it is too cold for your dog. For tips on how to prevent and recognize signs of frostbite and hypothermia in your dog, check out PetMD.