- Cold on a walk? Learn to recognize the signs that your dog is cold, especially if it is a small breed or a senior.
- Protect your pet’s paws from salt and frost, and shorten winter walks but increase their frequency to ensure comfort.
- At home, make sure the air is humid and a warm place, and choose nutritious food in your diet.
- Find out how proper diet and care will help your dog survive the winter comfortably!
Keep warm while walking
If we notice that the dog starts shaking while walking, tucks its tail or shifts from paw to paw, it is a clear signal that it is cold. This is particularly important in the case of small and short-haired breeds, puppies and senior dogs – their fur and body are less able to cope with cold. This is a good time to think about an insulated coat, preferably one that is light, comfortable and does not restrict movement, which will keep you warm even during a longer walk.
Protect your paws from salt and frost
Let’s not forget about our pets’ paws, because they are in direct contact with ice and salt, which can cause cracks, irritation or pain. It is worth protecting them with a protective balm or coconut oil, and washing and drying them thoroughly after returning home1.
Shorter but more frequent walks
Winter walks should be adapted to the current weather. In case of severe frost, wind or heavy snowfall, it is strongly recommended to shorten the time spent outside. A dog can quickly become hypothermic, especially if its fur is wet. In winter, it is better to go for shorter, but more dynamic and more frequent outings so that the dog can do its needs and have some time to exercise. Longer play sessions can be moved indoors, stimulating the dog mentally, e.g. through olfactory games2.
Humidify the air in your home
What if, despite our care, the dog becomes sick? A cold in a dog may manifest itself as coughing, sneezing, runny nose or apathy. Dry air in heated apartments can quickly affect the health and well-being of our pet. If you notice that your pet is lying down more often and has less appetite, it is worth consulting a veterinarian. At home, let’s make sure there is peace, a warm place to rest and proper hydration of the dog. It is also worth providing him with a warm place, but not directly next to the radiator, humidifying the air and choosing a mild diet that supports regeneration3.
Let’s choose nutritious food
In the colder months, a properly selected diet also becomes particularly important. Well-composed food supports your pet’s health, strengthens its immunity and helps it feel comfortable even when the conditions outside become demanding. Josera offers a wide selection of products tailored to the individual nutritional needs of dogs, from dry and wet food to grain-free, functional and specialized formulas for animals with specific requirements. The brand supports caregivers at every stage of their pets’ lives, providing carefully developed food recipes, the highest quality ingredients, good digestibility and palatability.
