Keeping your dog warm from the cold

As the winter chill sets in, we all start to feel it. It's important that all members of the family are kept warm, but not too warm! Dog's naturally have an ability to regulate their temperature in hot and cold climates, however depending on their age, aliments and their coat condition, they may need help to keep themselves warm in the cooler months.

The most important thing is to understand your dog's coat. For example, a breed such as a Husky who has a thick double coat, designed to protect the dog from sub temperatures, don't need assistance in keeping warm. However a breed such as a beagle or an older dog with a lighter coat will feel the cold a lot more.

Ways that you can help to keep your dog warm include:

• Keeping them out of the cold. When possible, having your dog indoors will help them to keep their body temperature up. If using heating in your home, you should be setting the temperature to simply take the chill out of the air. Having the room too warm can cause your dog to overheat.
• Placing a coat on your dog. There are lots of stylish options available now for dogs in lots of different sizes to fit all different body shapes. If your dog needs to stay outside, be sure to go for a waterproof option to avoid a wet coat being stuck on your dog. 
• Booties are great to keep your dogs feet warm if you are walking them. As with the heat of the concrete, dogs feel the chill of the cold ground. 
• Providing a windproof shelter. Should your dog need to stay outside, ensure they have a safe, sheltered and protected area to keep them out of the elements. 
• Warm bedding, including thick blankets to snuggle into or heat mats that can be placed under your dogs bedding (to act like an electric blanket) are a great way to keep your pooch snug. Especially if they are elderly and suffer from arthritis, this is a great way to warm their cold joints. 
• Check for drafts in your house. As your dog may be on their bed located on the ground, it's important to make sure there are no cold drafts coming under the doors or around the windows that could be affecting them. Cover any drafts to help keep the cold out. 

Things to AVOID that could pose a danger to your dog include:

• Overheating is very easy to do, especially when you are cold yourself and want to have the heater nice and high. There are varying suggestions on what the 'ideal' room temperature is for a dog and again this will vary depending on their coats and body condition. You want to set the room temperature to have the chill out of the air. 
• Hot water bottles or wheat bags are a danger to pets. They can easily be burst by a tooth or claw and can cause burns. If you are needing to heat your pets bed, stick to a pet heat mat only. Electric blankets are not safe to be used either.