Winter Walking and Camping with Your Dog - Dec 10
by Alex Riester
Road salt gets in your dog’s paws and dries them out, causing them to look cracked and broken. The best way to prevent this is with dog boots...
Sizing is very important, so before you purchase, make sure your dog has tried them on.
Winter is a harsh season not only for you, but for your four-legged friend. There are certain precautions you should take before heading out into the wilderness; whether it is a winter expedition to Alaska or a quick jog around some of Kansas City’s excellent trails. The best rule of thumb is to know your dog. As his/her owner/master, you know what is best for your canine companion.
Be Prepared — Know Your Dog
Keep an eye on him/her and watch for any signs of discomfort; this will help increase the enjoyment of winter not only for you, but for your dog. Our simple tips and products should not prevail over how you feel your dog performs in the winter, but should be taken as a guideline. Each dog is different and even within a species; one dog differs from the next. Knowing and watching your dog for any irregularities is the best way to enjoy the cold winter months.
The first and most important area of focus should be your dog’s paws. You need to look for ice build-up in his/her paws frequently, particularly in between the pads of the paws. Ice build-up is caused by moisture that sticks to the fur on your dog’s paw and then freezes. This can be painful for your pet and deter Fido from spending time outdoors in the winter. Also, when you bring your dog inside from a long walk, melting ice build-up can leave wet spots all over your carpet, an unpleasant surprise when wearing socks or walking barefoot around the house.
The easiest way to prevent ice build-up is to trim the fur around your dog’s paws. Longer fur holds more moisture and has more opportunity to freeze. The longer the hair is, the longer the liquid will stay on the fur, thus creating a higher chance for ice build up. Trimming the fur eliminates the opportunity for moisture to stick and freeze to your dog’s paws.
Take your Dog Shopping?
For prolonged exposure to the winter world, we recommend a boot. There are numerous boot options, but the most advanced is Ruff Wear’s Bark’n Boots Polar Trex. The material on the boot comes up higher, over the dew claw, almost to the dog’s joint. The tough, durable Vibram Icetrek outsole was created specifically for iced surfaces, and may even look similar to the sole of your own winter boots. The upper part of the boot uses softshell technology to create a highly breathable, water resistant shell to protect the top of your dog’s paw.
The Polar Trex also include a gaiter to help with deep snow. Gaiters are great for “dog’s best friend” as well, because they keep deep snow out of your boot. Also, the Polar Trex have a very secure fit, with a cam buckle ankle strap at the lower half of the boot, and an E-cord loop closure at the top to secure the gaiter. To top it all off, this boot has 3M reflective tape across multiple points of the boot, to create more visibility in low light situations. When the sun sets at 4 pm, you will see more than just your dog’s eyes glaring at you.
The Ruff Wear Bark’n Boots Polar Trex is by far the best winter boot currently on the market. Sizing is very important, so before you purchase, make sure your dog has tried them on. BACKWOODS Overland Park is dog friendly, so bring your pooch in to try them on!
Winter Poisons
Another problem any pet owner must watch out for is anti-freeze and road salt. Ant-freeze is very toxic, even in small amounts. Unfortunately, it is also tastes very sweet. Always make sure you fully clean up any spills, even small drops. As little as three tablespoons could be enough to shut down your dog’s kidneys and within three days, your dog could be irreversibly damaged. We recommend refilling your car’s anti-freeze off-site at a gas station or auto shop, but if you must refill anti-freeze at home, the street is your best bet.
Road salt gets in your dog’s paws and dries them out, causing them to look cracked and broken. The best way to prevent this is with dog boots, but you can also clean your dog’s paws in warm water, then dry thoroughly. Climb On! has a cream (Intensive Skin Repair) that protects against this as well. It is safe to use on your hands, as well as your dog’s paws. The boots protect against harsh winter elements from salt to slipping to ice build up.
What About a Softshell?
One last consideration for your winter-wonderland element pet is sleet, snow and freezing rain. Many of these do not prevent you from going outside, so they should not prevent your dog either. For anything from a light snow to an ice store, a softshell is what you and your dog need.
A softshell is a huge step up from that sweater your great aunt knitted for your dog, offering maximum breathability and warmth, while still regulating heat output. Softshells also have high water resistance to shed moisture, and four-way-stretch to allow maximum movement. Ruff Wear’s Cloud Chaser is a great jacket for your dog. The zipper provides easy on, easy off capabilities, and you just throw it in the washing machine and dryer if your dog decides to take a romp in the mud fields of Heritage Park.
If you think a softshell does not fit your needs, a fleece jacket for your dog will keep it warm without the weather protection or a hardshell will keep it dry without the warmth. The softshell combines these two technologies, which is why it is the most beneficial.
General winter care for your dog can be as simple as just keeping an eye on your favorite four-legged friend or as advanced as completely outfitting your dog as you would yourself. If you notice him/her panting in the winter, your dog likely does not need another coat (other than his/her own). Knowing how your dog reacts and watching for signs such as shivering, mood changes or fear of the outdoors, can help increase your and your dog’s enjoyment of the cold winter months. Always consult your veterinarian before any major trips to the ice fields of Patagonia or prolonged time outdoors on Indian Trail.
Alex Riester is the sales supervisor at BACKWOODS, Overland Park, KS and a huge fan of spending time with his dog outside. He can be reached at BACKWOODS Overland Park, KS, 913.451.8881 or visit www.backwoods.com.
