Encourage Your Pet to Be Active
While your dog might not feel like moving a muscle all day when he is sick, this is actually really bad for his health. Your pup might end up developing infections such as bedsores if he lies immobile for too long at a stretch.
Bedsores or ‘pressure ulcers’ are an injury to the skin or tissue and occur when there is prolonged pressure on the skin for extended periods of time.
When your pup spends all day resting in one position, the likelihood of him developing bedsores is quite high.
So even while your pup is sick, take him on short walks around the neighborhood. A little bit of fresh air can work wonders for your sick pup and also prevent any infections.
While your pet shouldn’t lie completely immobile the entire time, it’s also not a good idea for your pup to be outside, playing like he otherwise does.
You need to make sure that there is a balance in the amount of time your pet spends resting and the time he spends playing.
Playing outside for too long is most likely going to leave your pet exhausted and vulnerable to catching all sorts of illnesses, which will only make the situation worse.
For example, if he has a fever, you should make sure that he avoids running outdoors as the cold air can only make his fever worse.
Tend to Your Dog’s Bathroom Needs
As a pet parent, it’s your job to track your pet’s bathroom habits, especially while he is sick. During these trying times, he is most likely going to feel too exhausted to actually get up from his place and go to the restroom.
As such, you may have to change his bedding every day during sick days. It’s also very probable that your pet’s body will be full of feces and urine, so make sure to clean his body at least twice a day every day.
Alternatively, you can even construct an indoor toilet for your pet to use while he is sick. And if your pet has an ‘accident’ somewhere indoors, be gentle on him. Don’t yell at him or punish him during such times. Punishing him will only serve to stress your doggie out even further, and this can make it increasingly difficult for him to recover on a timely basis.
The Best Time to Bathe Your Dog in Winter
When bathing your dog in the winter, it’s best to give them a bath in the morning. By bathing your dog early, they can dry themselves when the sun is warmest at noon, and they will not have to go to bed with a wet coat.
Dog Care : How to Give Dogs a Bath in Cold Weather
Whether you’re a new dog owner or you’ve owned dogs most of your life, you may wonder whether you can give your dog a bath in the winter. If you find yourself asking that question, rest assured that the answer is yes. You can and often should bathe a dog in the winter, as long as you know how.
Bathing a big dog is pretty much the same as bathing a small or medium-sized dog in the winter. Once you master one size dog, you should be able to handle dogs of almost any size as long, as you have enough supplies and can lift the dog into and out of the tub safely. Remember — no matter how big or small a dog is, it’s never a good idea to let them jump into or out of a tub on their own, because slippery surfaces and wet paws that can slide may lead to serious injuries.