Can I Take My Dog Outside During Spring Showers? |
Posted: April 6, 2018 |
Springtime is here! Oh, certainly, some parts of the country can't tell, because of almost back-to-back nor'easters hitting most of the East Coast. One day, weather is cold and soggy; on another day, it's dry and verging on warmth. Clearly, dogs who spend time outside need to be protected from the cold and elements when the weather is wet. Dogs who can't get relief from the cold and wet are more likely to suffer ill effects. Wet-Weather Wear This means a raincoat and rain boots. While some dogs will need time to get used to the extra gear, others will take to it immediately. These are the smaller dogs with short hair, who need the protection. If it's windy as well as rainy, dog parents will want to protect her from a potentially cold wind. Some rain coats are lined with a layer of cotton trim, which helps to ward off some of those chillier breezes. The coat will still be flexible and lightweight. Some rain coats actually come with their own carrying cases. Dog parents can take the coat with them if they aren't sure what the weather's going to do. Dry Paw Booties Even if the dog is only going to go outside and "do her business," slipping her feet into rain boots means that, when she's ready to come back inside, she won't track mud all over the house. Just remove her boots right before she runs inside. Another plus: These boots will protect her paws against burning-hot pavement during the summer. Waterproof rain boots help to protect the dog's feet from the wet pavement. She will have to get used to the feeling of a foreign object on her feet. If she refuses to wear them, she can still go outside for her walks. The rainwater won't harm her, as long as it hasn't mixed with fertilizer or other chemicals outside. The parent should just wipe her paws dry when she comes inside. Add Warmth Inside Propane space heaters help to ward off some of that damp cold that seems to come inside during bad weather. Some dog breeds enjoy curling up next to a heat source for a nice, long snooze. Before they fall asleep, pet owners should make sure the heater is safe for use around pets. Because they aren't aware that the toasty heat can singe their fur, they will nudge right up next to it. If a dog loves to get into frisky play inside, a space heater should have an auto-shutoff feature just in case it tips over. This way, it won't continue throwing heat out and increase the risk of a fire starting. Shelter and Bedding Every pet should be able to spend time indoors when the weather is bad outside. This applies to dogs and wet, spring weather. Even if she's used to spending most of her time outside, a cold, wet day won't be pleasant for her, especially if she's a little older. Pet parents should just make sure the dog has a way of getting inside when the weather is too nasty for her taste. A well-placed doggy door helps with this. She can come in when she needs to and get back outside when the weather has cleared up or when she needs to do her business. Warm bedding is probably one of the most comfortable places for a cold dog who's just come in from a rainy backyard. Of course, nudging right up against a pet parent is even more so. Some dog beds are stuffed with cedar chips or burlap, which are ideal when the weather is wet. Parents can buy a plush dog bed and place it where the dog will be able to see what's going on outside. If they don't have a dog bed, then several old blankets piled, one on top of the other, will make a comfy substitute.
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