Doggie Snow Day Tips

Whether your dog is shorter than the snow — like my little guy — or a regular sled dog, it's important to follow some winter safety tips in the days following the blizzard.

Keep your dog on leash.

It's easy for a dog to become disoriented in the snow and easy to get hurt in snow and ice, especially with some of the drifts we're seeing out there today. So even if you're just taking your dog out in the yard, keep him on a leash.

Shorten your outdoor time.

It's cold out there! While some breeds can tolerate the cold fairly well, puppies, seniors and dogs with short hair tend to be sensitive to cold weather.  In many cases, it's best to take your dog out to do his business and otherwise, let him have an indoor snow day. For the dog who loves the snow, keep playtime short and let him go in frequently to warm up.

If your dog gets regular grooming, consider keeping fur longer in the winter months. Even if you are decidedly anti-pet clothing, a sweater or coat can be a good choice for your short-haired dog.

Wipe your paws!

Road salt and chemicals used on icy roads can upset your dog's stomach. Your best bet is to wipe his paws off with a warm towel after coming in from the snow to prevent him from ingesting anything that could make him sick.

Antifreeze drips from cars can also be lethal to pets. The ASPCA recommends using products containing propylene glycol instead of ethylene glycol whenever possible, but be sure to watch your pet carefully in parking lots or along the road.