Frozen Opinions

What’s Wrong With Your Dog?

Winter’s here and most of us are thinking about hot chocolate, cozy socks, and the glow of a heater. But for your dog, cold weather brings a whole set of weather puzzles that aren’t always obvious. I’ll cover a series of topics and for today’s newsletter, I’ll start with how to tell if the weather is too cold, what does it mean if your dog freezes movement outside, and how to keep their paws ok when they come inside.

When temperatures tumble, remember that dogs aren’t just “fuzzy” humans. Size, coat length, age, and health all change how cold feels to them. Short-haired breeds, puppies, seniors, and flat-nosed dogs lose heat fast and can get hypothermia or frostbite when it’s well below freezing. If you (as a reasonable person) wouldn’t want to stay outside for very long, neither does your dog. That’s a good rule for real-world decisions about how much outside time is safe.

A common winter hazard is the snow, ice, and chemicals on the ground. Ice and snow can pack between paw pads and lead to frostbite or soreness; salt and de-icers dry and irritate skin and can make dogs lick their paws more than you’d like (and can be dangerous if ingested). Using pet-safe ice melt around your yard and wiping or rinsing paws after outdoor play or potty helps tremendously. Make sure in wiping your dog’s paws that you are using something appropriate for your pooch - not fragrant wipes for humans. It’s been my experience that vets recommend using very gentle baby unscented wipes on your dog’s paws (note that this can help year-round with allergies too!). So this explains my recent Amazon delivery of 800 wipes! Some people gently trim fur between pads so snow doesn’t clump there as much.

Here’s something many folks don’t think about: if your dog stops moving in the snowy yard and looks stuck, exhausted, or chilly, it’s a red flag. Cold muscles and frozen pads can make them reluctant to walk. That’s not stubbornness. Call them in right away or immediately go out there and get them inside and wrap them in a dry blanket. If you see pale or cold skin on paws or ears, those could be early signs of frostbite and a vet may need to weigh in. So don’t let your dog out to go potty and then get yourself a coffee or go to the bathroom yourself… there is no time for that. When your dog goes out in freezing temperatures to go to the bathroom, you should watch your dog the whole time and it should be very short duration.

If helpful, in frigid temps, you can use potty pads in the basement or some area where your dog doesn’t usually go so your dog doesn’t associate it with potty time. This will not only keep your dog warmer in general, but dogs can take time to do some of their potty stuff, which is dangerous to linger outside. If you don’t want to use disposable versions, they have fabric versions out there that you can put in the washing machine and reuse - fancy, dog themed, or posh and plush contemporary.

Tune in next week where we will continue the discussion with some other important winter things to help your fur baby.

Magnitude: Lesson learned
Best day of your life: I totally relate
Got the power: Logical misinterpretation

Environment

Yet another snowstorm and it’s only about mid-December. Oy vey. As I sit here achy from shoveling, I thought I would plan better for the next wave and share some tips I saw (and some I used). Not everyone has a mega snow blower, so there’s that. So many of us are left with looking at a shovel in hatred for the exhausting task ahead. Snow shoveling looks harmless until about ten minutes in, when your shoulders start arguing with your lower back, your fingers begin questioning whether you need to really be that responsible, and your mind thinks why didn’t I move to the tropics yet. Well, I can’t help you with the tropics (I’m still processing that one myself) but a little preparation outside, and a smarter landing once you’re back indoors, can turn it from a misery sprint into something closer to a controlled workout and potentially less miserable.

Before you head out, warmth works best when it’s intentional but not necessarily bulky. Heated vests or jackets keep your core steady without locking up your arms, which matters more than piling on thick layers everywhere else. Scarves should block wind but still let moisture escape. Gloves need to insulate without killing grip. If you can’t feel the shovel handle, you’ll over-clench and tire faster. Wool or thermal socks matter more than you think, especially if your boots run roomy and let cold air circulate. Cold feet drain energy fast. My heated gloves and heated vest are a saving grace for a start.

Comfort and protection deserve a little attention too. Cold air dries skin aggressively, so a quick swipe of lip hydration before stepping out can save you from cracked lips hours later. Compression socks can help with circulation if you’re standing and lifting repeatedly, and padded arch supports inside winter boots (full length or ¾ length so shoes aren’t tight) reduce that deep foot ache that sneaks up halfway through the driveway. To help support your back through the constant bend, lift, twist and throw action, you can try wearing lower back support. These small things don’t feel dramatic, but they quietly add up.

Give some of these a try - they may just help. And since there never seems to be help when you are shoveling (where is the family?), at least you can wear things to help. Ok, now you are all covered and finished with the heavy lifting, but what can you do when you get back inside after you are done? Most folks just come back inside and go about their normal routine. However, join us next week when we will talk about some great things you can do to ease the pain and soreness when you get inside - some are not necessarily well known. Something to look forward to.

Many pet owners worry that insurance won’t cover everything, especially routine care or pre-existing conditions. While that’s true in many cases, most insurers now offer wellness add-ons for preventive care like vaccines, dental cleanings, and check-ups, giving you more complete coverage. View Money’s pet insurance list to find plans for as low as $10 a month.

Protect your pet

Chuckle

The fib is C. Cold air is often drier than indoor air that feels dry. The sensation comes from reduced moisture capacity, not absolute dryness, which is why skin dehydration accelerates even when humidity numbers look moderate.

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