Before heading into the cold temperature, make sure you have a heavy coat, gloves, hat, scarf, and warm shoes. With all these items, you should be able to handle the wintry weather.
Now, what about your pet?
Just because your pet has fur does not mean that it can weather the cold. If you’re cold, it’s likely that your pet is chilly too.
Exposure to the winter’s dry, cold air, chilly rain, sleet, and snow can cause chapped paws and itchy skin. You can prevent the cold weather from affecting your pet’s health by following this advice:
- Keep your home humidified and towel dry your pet when you bring it indoors;
- Never shave your pet down to its skin in the winter;
- Bring a towel on long walks to clean off stinging, irritated paws;
- Bathe your pet as little as possible during cold spells; and
- Massage petroleum jelly or other paw protectants into the paw pads of your pet before going outside. This can help protect your pet’s paws from salt and chemical agents.