6 safety tips for walking your dog in winter
When walking your dog during the winter months, its important you know how to take care of your pups when the temperature plummets. The experts at Webbox have suggested some of the ways you can protect your dogs in winter.
1. Buy an extra coat — keep your pups cosy with a warm, padded jacket. “These will be most beneficial to types of dog who feel the cold more easily, such as small breeds, those with short coats and slimmer dogs with less body fat,” the team at Webbox explain.
2. Keep the lead on — heavy snow can distort your dogs vision, so its always best to keep their lead on to ensure they stay safe. “Ensure that a collar with contact details and an ID tag is fitted before the walk and that they are microchipped in case the worst happens and your pet gets lost.”
3. Beware of freezing — avoid going on a walk near a lake or pond as these could have frozen over due to the ice.
4. Wear visible jackets — both dogs and their owners should wear high visibility outerwear, such as jackets or flashing leads. Light-up balls are also a great idea for when the night draws in.
5. Be aware of snow — before heading out, trim your dogs fur around their paws to avoid any ice getting trapped. The experts suggest: “Dont allow dogs to eat snow as their body temperature could become dangerously low or there could be hidden items in the snow, such as glass, or even dangerous chemicals.”
6. Spot changes in behaviour — signs of frostbite include whining, shivering, slowing down and regularly stopping. Elderly dogs should also be taken on shorter walks as arthritis can be more susceptible to the cold.
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Why is road salt or grit dangerous for dogs?
Vet Sean urges dog owners to clean their pets paws after walking them in the winter, as bits of grit and road salt could be stuck to their paws.
Road Salt is a mixture of sodium chloride and grit can “irritate the dog’s skin, causing dryness, cracking and even burns to a dog’s pads”.
He added: “Even more dangerous for dogs, if they lick it from their paws or fur, they can ingest the chemicals, which can be toxic”.
Digesting road salt can lead to drooling, vomit, diarrhoea and loss of appetite. In severe cases, dogs can develop seizures, in the most severe cases it can be fatal.
“This is why dog owners need to clean their pet’s paws after coming home from a walk in autumn and winter,” adds Sean.
The RSCPA says: “Even a small amount of pure salt can be very dangerous to pets. Ingestion can result in a high blood sodium concentration which can cause thirst, vomiting and lethargy, and in severe cases there is a risk of convulsions and kidney damage.”
Treatment of Salt Poisoning in Dogs
Your dog will likely be admitted to the hospital for oxygen, IV fluid therapy, and electrolytes to manage dehydration. The salt level will have to be brought down gradually because a sudden change in sodium levels can cause a heart attack or cerebral edema (brain swelling). It can take days to bring the levels down to an acceptable range depending on how high your dog’s sodium levels are. If cerebral edema is already present, your dog may be given a medication such as dexamethasone or mannitol to reduce the inflammation. The veterinarian will most likely keep your dog in the hospital for observation. Curious about which health plan is right for your dog? Head over to Forbes breakdown of the best pet insurance providers.
Worried about the cost of Salt Poisoning treatment?
Pet Insurance covers the cost of many common pet health conditions. Prepare for the unexpected by getting a quote from top pet insurance providers.