- Winter is a challenge for dogs – learn how to recognize when your pet is cold and how to ensure its thermal comfort during a walk.
- Protecting paws against salt and frost and adjusting the length of walks is the key to your pet’s health.
- Learn proven ways to care for winter, including the importance of diet and humidifying the air at home, so that your dog can enjoy winter to the fullest.
Keep warm on your walk
Long-lasting frosts mean that even dogs that usually cope well with the cold may freeze faster. If your pet starts shaking during a walk, tucks its tail or shifts from paw to paw, it is a clear signal that the temperature is too low for it. Small and short-haired breeds, puppies and senior dogs are particularly at risk. It is worth using insulated clothes – light, comfortable and not restricting movements, which actually improve the dog’s comfort when going outside.
Protect your paws from salt, ice and cracks
In such a cold winter, paws come into daily contact with road salt, snow and ice, which can lead to irritation, cracks and pain. It is worth regularly using protective balms or natural oils, e.g. coconut, which create a protective layer. After returning from a walk, it is a good idea to wash your dog’s paws with lukewarm water and dry them thoroughly1.
Shorter, but more often
In severe frosts, it is better to give up long, static walks in favor of shorter but more frequent outings. Wet fur, wind and low temperatures can quickly cause the body to cool down. On the coldest days, it is worth going for dynamic walks and taking longer play sessions home, e.g. in the form of olfactory games or simple training that stimulates the dog mentally2.
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 middle of the winter season, a proper diet is especially important. Well-selected 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 guardians at every stage of their pets’ lives, providing carefully developed food recipes, the highest quality ingredients, good digestibility and palatability. By applying these simple rules, we will help our pets survive safely and comfortably even the coldest weeks of winter.
