#MiddleburyCT #Holidays #PoisonousFoods
DEAR PAW’S CORNER: We had a cold snap a couple of weeks ago, and the morning temperature dipped below freezing. After taking my Labradoodle, “Pierre,” for a walk around the block, I noticed he was shivering, and he walked with a tiny limp the rest of the day. He’s OK now, but it didn’t seem so cold when we went out. From now on, I’ll make sure he has a doggie sweater and booties on for walks, even if there is no snow on the ground. – Sara in Bennington, Vermont
DEAR SARA: That’s a good plan. I’m glad Pierre is doing fine now, but I’m sure that was a scary lesson. Small dogs can be quickly affected by cold temperatures. Even when the weather is above freezing, their little bodies can get chilled very quickly.
Even large dogs can suffer from the cold. And ice-cold pavement can be dangerous for paws, no matter how big or small your dog is. The pads on their paws can get frostbitten. Dry, cold temperatures can cause the skin of the pads to chap and crack, resulting in a lot of discomfort.
Put a protective jumper or coat on your pet before going out when temperatures dip into the 40s (or single-digit Celsius). Booties will protect their paws from frozen sidewalks and from ice or other debris that might injure their pads. At the end of each walk, check their paws for cuts. If the pads appear dry, apply a balm for pet paws like Musher’s Secret, Bag Balm or Burt’s Bees.
Some dogs don’t like wearing booties or coats. Work with them between walks to make them more comfortable: Put their coat on in the house for a minute, then five, then 10. Same with the booties. Give them lots of praise and treats during the process; they’ll eventually tolerate it.
Send your tips, comments or questions to ask@pawscorner.com.
© 2024 King Features Synd., Inc.
You must be logged in to post a comment.