Fall is a wonderful time of year. There are so many great activities to participate in with your family. It is also a great transition to time to prepare for the upcoming winter season. As you ready your winter wardrobe, winterize your home, and prepare for the Christmas season, do not forget to prepare your dog. Here are five things you should do ensure that your dog thrives from autumn all the way through winter.
Groom Your Dog
Hopefully, you groom your dog regularly whether at a pet store, with a groomer, or at home. During the fall season, though, make sure that your pet’s nails trimmed. Along with trimming their nails, the hair around their paws and legs should be clipped as well. These steps will help keep water, mud, or even snow trapped in the dog’s fur, which can be completely uncomfortable for your dog.
When you groom your dog’s paws, take the time to also brush out their summer coat. Your dog begins to shed as the seasons change. If you do not brush out the summer hair, then it can get trapped, causing mats in your dog’s hair. This is especially true if your dog has thick curly hair, such as a poodle. You may also want to invest in supplements for your dog’s skin or coat. Using a supplement like fish oil will help your pet’s skin from drying out and getting itchy.
Get a Check-up for Your Dog
You may want to schedule a check-up for your furry baby this fall season. It is a good idea to see that everything is well with your pet and to see if they are due for any vaccinations. During your check-up, you may want to also stock up on flea and tick medication. Some people think that during the colder seasons, you can forgo flea and tick preventatives because the cold weather will make it more difficult for the critters to survive. However, that couldn’t be further from the truth. Fall is a prime season for ticks, which of course carry diseases that could be deadly for your dog. Make sure you are using flea and tick preventatives all year round.
Prepare a Winter Weather Emergency Kit
While you should have a visit to the vet this fall, sometimes unexpected things can occur during the season. That is why it is imperative to have a well-stocked winter emergency kit for your pet. Check your kit to see if anything is out-of-date or needs to be replaced. Make sure there are emergency items specific for the winter weather, such as a bottle of water, a heating pack, and wipes that help remove de-icer and salt from your dog’s paws. Another item you may want to consider adding to your emergency kit is balm for your pet’s paws to keep them supple as well as keep them from cracking, which could be irritating.
Buy Waterproof Boots & Cold Weather Clothes
You can trim your dog’s paw hair and even adequately use paw balm, but sometimes those steps simply aren’t enough to care for your dog’s paws. You may need to simply purchase waterproof boots for your dog. Both waterproof boots and socks will help keep your dog’s legs warm and protected from the harsh winter elements. Along with waterproof boots, you should also consider buying cold weather clothes for your dog, such as sweaters and coats. Depending on the breed of your dog, they may need another layer of warmth besides their natural coat.
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Watch Out for Antifreeze
As the weather starts to get colder, people tend to use antifreeze. Unfortunately, however, antifreeze is extremely poisonous dogs, but they are drawn to it by its sweet taste. Be careful to keep an eye on your dog this season when going out on walks. Make sure your pet does not get into any antifreeze that may spill onto parking lot or pavement.
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