Everyone knows how cold it can get during the winter season. But how many people know how to get their dogs ready for winter or what to do? Here are 5 tips to help you out this time of the year!

1. Trim Paw Hair or Put Booties On

Incase you were not aware, the snow can become packed on a dog's paw when the hair is excessively long and can even cause pain to the dog's pads. When I had my golden retriever, I would constantly be pulling snow off of her paws when she came in until I learned to trim her hair. SAFETY WARNING! Be careful when trimming the hair yourself! Some dogs can be sensitive and may not like it when you do this. If you run into this problem, think about putting booties on your dog's paws. If they do not like booties either, then consult a professional groomer or vet on what you should do.

2. Put a Coat On

If your dog has short hair such as a chihuahua, then cover that dog up with a coat! Due to the short hair, this can cause dogs to become colder easier than if they had a thicker coat. If you have a dog like a husky or lab etc., then you should be fine without a coat. But always keep an eye if your dog does end up getting cold.

3. Don't Let Them Go Outside for Long

While it is ok to take your dog for a walk during the winter, it is not ok to leave them unattended for a long period of time. Some dogs can handle the cold longer, such as my labs, but other dogs prefer to be back inside as soon as possible.

4. Beware of Chemicals

It is ice season and you know what that means? Chemicals and salt, lots and lots of both! Both items can be very harmful to dogs so keep an eye on your pet as he or she is roaming around. It is suggested that you rinse your dog's paws when coming back inside to possibly clean off the hazardous products.

5. Keep Your Dog Inside

Even though many people do let their dogs live inside, there is the few that have their dogs live outside all year round. Leaving your dog outside in the cold can increase the risk of frostbite, hypothermia, and other health issues. It is not fair to a pet that would give you their life to abandon them out in the cold.

Enjoy winter and remember to keep your furballs warm and loved!