Getting Relief from the Winter Blues
Winter is here, and with it comes the challenge of keeping our dogs safe, comfortable, and happy during the cold months. As temperatures drop, it’s important to adjust your dog’s routine to ensure their well-being. Whether you’re dealing with snow, ice, or chilly winds, here are some cold weather tips for dog parents, and how daycare can make winter easier for both you and your furry friend.
Limit Outdoor Time During Cold Snaps
While many dogs love the winter weather, prolonged exposure to freezing temperatures can be dangerous. Cold weather can lead to frostbite, hypothermia, and cracked paws, especially for smaller or short-haired breeds. On particularly cold days, it’s best to limit outdoor walks to short, brisk outings. Make sure your dog is bundled up with a doggie sweater or coat, and always check their paws for ice, salt, or debris.
How Daycare Helps: When the weather is too harsh for outdoor fun, daycare facilities like Puppy Play and Stay offer warm, indoor play areas where dogs can stay active and socialize with other pups. This is a great way for your dog to burn off energy, even when the weather outside isn’t cooperating.
Watch Out for Salt and Chemicals
During winter months, sidewalks, driveways, and roads are often treated with salt and de-icing chemicals to prevent slipping. While these products keep humans safe, they can irritate your dog’s paws and cause gastrointestinal issues if ingested. Always wipe your dog’s paws after a walk, and keep them away from areas heavily coated with salt or chemicals.
How Daycare Helps: At Puppy Play and Stay, we take extra care in monitoring the outdoor spaces and ensuring that dogs are not exposed to harmful chemicals. Additionally, our indoor play areas are safe and free from any ice or salt, so your dog can stay happy and healthy without the risk of irritation.
Keep Your Dog Active Indoors
Winter weather can make it difficult to keep your dog physically and mentally stimulated. But just because it’s cold outside doesn’t mean your dog should become a couch potato! Engaging activities like interactive toys, training sessions, and indoor fetch can help your dog stay active and entertained.
How Daycare Helps: Our daycare offers socialization with other dogs which provides valuable mental stimulation, which is important during the winter months when outdoor exercise may be limited.
Keep Your Dog Warm and Cozy
If your dog is particularly sensitive to the cold, make sure they have a warm, cozy place to relax indoors. Keep blankets or beds in a draft-free area, and ensure your dog’s living space is comfortable, especially at night.
How Daycare Helps: In our facility, we ensure that dogs have a comfortable, climate-controlled environment to relax in. We also make sure that all play areas are safe and temperature-controlled, providing a warm and secure space for your dog to enjoy their winter days.
Come Visit Us At Puppy Play and Stay
Winter can be tough on both you and your dog, but with the right precautions, you can ensure your dog stays happy and healthy all season long. By limiting outdoor time, monitoring their paws, and keeping them active indoors, you can protect your dog from winter’s chill. And if you’re looking for a warm, safe, and stimulating environment for your dog while you’re at work or out for errands, Puppy Play and Stay is here to help! Let us take care of your dog, so you can focus on enjoying the winter season worry-free. Contact us today!
