Once it gets colder and starts snowing outside, it’s easy to think that you have to keep dogs inside as much as possible — but with these 5 tips for walking your dog in the snow below, you can still take your pup out for a walk! Of course, you must follow these tips to ensure your dog is safe and healthy.
Above all else, you should only take your pup out for a walk in the snow if it is above 0 degrees Fahrenheit. Smaller dogs should never go outside for a long time if the weather is under 32 degrees Fahrenheit, while larger breeds shouldn’t be outside for long periods in weather under 20 degrees. If you walk your dog in the snow, only keep them outside for less than 30 minutes at a time.
With these tips below, you’ll be able to have fun walking your dog, even in the snow!
Does snow hurt a dog’s feet?
Snow and cold weather can harm dog’s paws and lead to cracked or peeling pads. Keeping your dog’s paws covered with booties on walks can keep this at bay. Also, wiping off your dog’s paws every time they come back inside helps!
5 Tips For Walking Your Dog in the Snow
1. Keep Your Pup Warm
You need to ensure that your dog is as warm as possible. Hypothermia is very real and could happen to your dog if they’re out in the cold for too long. Booties are necessary for your dog to keep their paws away from the cold ice and snow. You should also look into putting water-resistant coats or sweaters on them, especially if you have a smaller breed that gets colder, faster!
2. Keep Your Dog Away From Salt and Antifreeze
Both salt and antifreeze are toxic to dogs. Keep them far away from both! Antifreeze particularly has a sweet taste to dogs, so completely avoid areas of it to keep your pup from ingesting it. Salt, meanwhile, is a huge irritant to your dog’s skin, so also be sure to avoid any areas that have been covered with salt.
3. Don’t Let Your Dog Eat the Snow
While it might seem quite harmless when your dog eats snow, you should avoid this happening when you’re on a walk. You run the risk of your pup potentially ingesting salt or antifreeze, which is never good. Even if you’re in areas where you feel comfortable it’s just plain old snow your dog’s ingesting, eating too much snow will lower your dog’s body warmth — and potentially help speed them towards hypothermia!
4. Bring Flashlights or Use Reflective Material
A lovely, bright sunny walk through the snow is like no other. But sometimes, you might find that it’s becoming darker faster in the cold winter months. Using reflective materials, such as a reflective leash, can help keep you safe when it gets darker on your walks. Using flashlights also helps immensely!
5. Keep Your Dog on a Leash
Finally, keeping your dog on a leash will help keep them safe. Dogs may get excited in the snow — it’s a lot of fun! — so securing them by your side helps them from running off into dangerous situations, or towards salt or antifreeze. A leashed walk can also help steady your dog from falling or slipping. Knowing basic command words, such as “no” or “stay”, helps immensely, as does your dog being leashed trained!
Go on a Winter Walk With Your Trained Pup Today
A nice walk in the snow can happen for your and your pup this year! With these 5 tips for walking your dog in the snow, you can safely have a fun experience with your best friend! Plus, we can help ensure your walk is as safe as can be with our dog training services! We take care of your pet with compassion and care. Get more information and make your reservation here!
