The best and worst things pet owners do for their dogs in winter – 9Honey

By Kate Rafferty| 2 weeks ago
Now the colder months are upon us, we actually do have an excuse to pull out all of our cute pet accessories.
In fact, Aussie PETstock vet Dr Kathy Macmillan is encouraging you to do so to help protect your fluffy friend from the icy winter winds.
As winter approaches, 9Honey Pets spoke with Macmillan to find out the best and worst things you can do for your pet in the cooler months – apart from dressing them up in cute jumpers, of course.
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From puffer jackets to tiny dog boots, some of us are guilty of stocking up on all those cute clothes sold at stores like Kmart, vets and pet accessory stores.
So just how necessary are they?
"Dog clothing is an easy way to provide extra warmth to dogs," says Macmillan.
"This can be especially important for older or unwell dogs that are less active, short-coated breeds or for dogs that have recently been to the groomer and have been clipped short."
The vet does note, however, that a dog's body temperature runs quite differently to a human's, so it's important to keep that in mind.
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"Remember that dogs usually have a different 'thermostat' to people," she says.
"They have a higher body temperature and their ideal environmental temperature is usually a lot cooler than what people feel comfortable at. They overheat much more easily than people do as the mercury climbs."
To ensure your pet is living at the most optimal of temperatures, be careful not to overdress them on the day-to-day, and keep an eye out for signs of discomfort.
Be sure the item fits your dog well, and does not rub under the arms, around the paws or on the neck. If you notice sores, be sure to check it's not the clothes that are the problem!
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Not to mention, some dogs just hands down don't like clothes at all. Macmillan says if a dog isn't used to clothing, the item can make them "anxious".
"Try to listen to your dog," she says.
"If they run away when you bring the dog jumper out, it is a good sign that they would prefer not to wear it – no matter how cute they look in it!"
As for dog booties? Well, they might not be as ridiculous as you thought.
"Dog boots can be handy for dogs that run on rough surfaces, have sensitive pads or have paw injuries," the vet informs.
"They can also help older dogs grip on slippery surfaces which prevents falls.​"
Just because you're feeling the winter chill, doesn't mean your dog is. While obviously old, small or fine-coated dogs will feel a cold breeze more, there are plenty of other breeds that will thrive in the cooler months.
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"Very active dogs, such as those that belong to working or gundog breeds, are usually not bothered by the cooler weather," says Macmillan.
"In fact, winter is the perfect time to get out and about with these dogs as they can run for longer without overheating."
"Probably the biggest mistake I see is that people stop walking or exercising their dogs, which can cause frustration and weight gain."
The best way to get around the hurdle? Make sure you rug up just as much as your dog does.
"Set yourself up with a good jacket and a head torch and buy some appropriate accessories for your pet and you are set to go," says Macmillan, who adds that the purchase of a reflective harness or small flashing lights (like those you add to a bike) can be used to make walking in the dark safer.
When it comes to this question, Macmillan has just one request – whatever you choose for your dog, make sure it stays that way.
"A lot of energy is needed to maintain body temperature in a cold environment, and this can be a problem with old or unwell dogs who may already be struggling," says Macmillan.
She particularly points to older dogs, who often suffer from osteoarthritis.
"The symptoms of this are made worse by cold temperatures, so for many dogs, there are benefits to them sleeping inside during cold nights," adds Macmillan.
"But remember that dogs benefit from consistency and may not understand the reason why they are allowed inside some nights but not others.
"Inconsistent sleeping arrangements can create frustration and confusion and lead to issues."
Ultimately, if you're prone to letting your dog sleep inside on a cold night, Macmillan says it is best to allow them to sleep inside every night.
"The majority of dogs like to sleep close to their family and are much more content sleeping inside," she notes.
So perhaps it's time to fashion up a sleeping spot for your pup if you haven't got one already.
This one may or may not have been a personal admission… but Macmillan assures it's quite a common problem in the winter months.
While dogs do have reflexes, sometimes their thick coats can stop them from noticing when they're getting a little too close to a heat source, flame or open fire.
Here's a vet's advice: "​Treat dogs around fires and heaters like they are little children," says Macmillan.
"Use barriers and guards, where appropriate, and make sure there is adequate supervision."
This is particularly important since "a real danger" for dogs indoors during the winter is the potential for them to not only burn themselves, but to also knock items over into a heater. In the worst case, a flammable item. So tread with caution!
This article was produced in conjunction with PETstock
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