Dog owners have been warned to call their vet “immediately” if they spot any of five symptoms in their pet this winter. These red flags could be signs of hypothermia, which can be dangerous.
Walking is a vital part of dog ownership. Depending on the type of pooch you have, they may need multiple walks a day.
However, in the winter, this does come with some risks – particularly if it is especially cold. On its website, the Royal Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (RSPCA), issued advice on how to keep dogs safe on winter walks.
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It said: “Dogs feel the cold. Winter can impact their health and behaviour, as well as expose them to outdoor poisons.”
The charity explained that if temperatures dip to 0C “all” dogs are at risk of hypothermia. It said: “To keep dogs warm in the winter, try to keep inside temperatures between 10C and 25 C (below this, dogs more susceptible to the cold may start to struggle).
“When the temperature reaches freezing, all dogs are at risk of hypothermia and frostbite – especially small, slim, young and old dogs, and those with little or no fur. We don’t advise keeping dogs outside in any weather.
“Meeting the needs of dogs when they’re kept outdoors is very hard – even more so in very low temperatures.” You should stay vigilant for the signs of hypothermia.
These include:
Shivering (shivering will stop if they become severely cold)
Drowsiness and confusion
Loss of coordination
Pale gums
Loss of consciousness/collapse
The RSPCA said: “If you notice any of these signs, you will need to slowly increase their temperature (do not heat them up too quickly, or place anything hot directly against their skin) and contact your vet immediately.”
The best way to keep dogs warm in the winter is to:
Make sure they have a clean, dry space: Provide somewhere clean, comfortable and dry to sleep in, with a heat source to keep the temperature above 10C
Consider warm beds or heated blankets: Some dog beds and blankets are heated to provide extra warmth
Buy a dog jacket for winter: For dogs that feel the cold, are exposed to the cold for a long time, or any dogs out on walks in wintry weather, you can buy a warm dog jacket, coat or jumper. Make sure it’s a comfortable fit, so they can behave normally (for example, easily able to go to the toilet)
Buy dog boots for outside: Dog boots protect their paws against the cold ground, and prevent contact with poisons like rock salt, grit and antifreeze
Trim their paw and ear fur: To stop painful ice balls from freezing into their fur. For medium-haired or long-haired dogs, you can also trim the fur around their back legs and bum
Dry them off after a walk: If the dog gets wet, use a towel or hair dryer to dry them off to prevent skin irritation and matting that can lead to infections
For more information, visit the RSPCA website here.
