It's certainly cold in the UK currently and there's advice from Dogs Trust's Roden Centre on keeping your dog happy and healthy over winter:
OH DOGGY, IT’S COLD OUTSIDE!
Dogs Trust Roden issues advice to keep dogs happy and healthy this winter
As Britain continues to endure a cold and icy snap, our four-legged friends need a little extra care and warmth to ensure they cope with the wintery conditions.
Dogs Trust Roden advises:
- Let your dog’s winter coat grow, and if you have a puppy, short-haired or old dog it is a good idea to buy him a sensible coat to keep out the chill.
- Keep your dog on a lead if it is snowing very heavily. Snow can be disorienting and can affect a dog’s sense of smell so he could become lost easily.
- Make sure your dog is microchipped and wearing an ID tag in case he does get lost.
- Grit used to melt snow can cut their paws and make sure you wipe your dog’s legs, feet and stomach when you come indoors after a snowy walk.
- Antifreeze is highly poisonous but tasty to dogs! Keep it well out of their reach.
- Never leave your dog in a car during extreme weather, hot or cold.
- Do not let your dog walk on frozen ponds – the ice may not be thick enough to take his weight.
- If your dog does fall through the ice never be tempted to go after them but encourage them to swim back to you.
Louise Campbell Dogs Trust Roden Manager adds:
“Dogs Trust has 17 Rehoming Centres across the UK and the majority of these have seen plenty of snowfall so our dedicated canine carers are providing extra blankets and heating to ensure the hounds are happy and warm. Our dogs are certainly having a snowy ball and are enjoying frosty frolics with their canine chums! We remind dog owners to follow our advice to make sure your dogs have a wonderful winter.”
For more information visit http://www.dogstrust.org.uk/az/w/winter to download a free ‘Winter and Cold Weather’ factsheet.
Dogs Trust is the UK’s largest dog welfare charity and cares for over 16,000 stray and abandoned dogs each year through its network of 17 Rehoming Centres across the UK.