Winter is right around the corner – are you and your pups prepared? Do you have enough warm blankets? Do you need snow booties? Do you have electric water bowls?
Cold winters can be rough on dogs, even when you have central heat. Heat rises, and since dogs are close to the floor, they’re always existing in slightly colder air.
In addition to temperature, winter brings all sorts of challenges to dog owners. For example, they can’t stay outside as long, outside water dishes can freeze, and they can get extra muddy in the rain. That means you’ll have to give your dog more baths if you want to keep them clean.
Even the harshest winters in the U.S. are mild compared to Canada. Even if you manage to make it to your car during a blizzard, you won’t get anywhere. In Canada especially, you can’t wait for winter to buy your winter pet supplies. However, you can get ahead of the game by ordering online from Homes Alive.
Are you ready for winter? Check to see if you have the following items ready to go.
1. Dog pajamas
There’s nothing cuter than a dog in pajamas. It doesn’t matter how big or small your dog is – you can find pajamas that will fit them comfortably and look adorable.
There are many pajama brands on the market, but Fitwarm has some of the best designs and styles. For example, they have turtlenecks, thin fleece PJs, thick fleece PJs, flannels, and thermal fabrics.
Fitwarm makes dog pajamas for small and medium-sized dogs up to 18” long. If your dog has short legs, you might need to roll up the cuffs, but they won’t mind. For dogs up to 25” long, Wagatude pajamas are ideal.
2. Snow booties
Have you ever watched a dog trying to walk in snow booties for the first time? It’s hilarious and cute. Without direct contact with the ground, dogs feel awkward and struggle to walk. They want to throw the booties off, but can’t.
Although it seems like torture, dogs need protection from ice and snow. Some dogs will run around in the snow for hours without realizing their paws are freezing. Some large breeds can handle long-term exposure to the cold, but many can’t. Small dogs are especially prone to frostbite from cold temperatures.
3. Fleece blankets
When it’s cold, dogs love to snuggle up under the covers. If you don’t want your dog digging up your bed to burrow under your blankets, you need some cheap, small fleece throws.
If you don’t want to do laundry all the time for your dogs, get a stash of about ten blankets and just cycle through them as needed. If you wash your dog’s paws before entering the house, you won’t have to wash their blankets that often.
4. Heating pads
When it’s cold, dogs will gravitate toward a heating pad. The best heating pads will come with a washable cover and a chew-proof cord contained in a protective cage of metal.
There are mixed reviews on some of the most popular heating pads on the market, and some of those reviews are a misunderstanding. For example, many people complain that the pad doesn’t feel warm enough when touched. Most heating pads won’t feel warm without significant weight on top.
Once your dog lies down on a heating pad for about ten minutes, it might become too warm, in which case, they’ll walk away.
5. A stash of your dog’s favorite treats
If winters are snowy or icy where you live, be sure to stock up on your dog’s favorite treats and cookies. It would be terrible if you ran out of rabbit or duck snacks in the middle of a snow storm and your dog had to settle for a spoonful of peanut butter.
Granted, peanut butter is tasty, but if your dog has a favorite snack that isn’t peanut butter, they’re going to wonder why they’re not getting any.
6. A warm cave bed
Dogs love sleeping in cave-like beds. While crates are good, cave beds are better. Cave beds are lined with fleece and are contained on three sides. You won’t get a draft of cold air with a cave bed. They also have a smaller space, which makes the bed much warmer than a crate with blankets.
Winter is coming – are you ready?
Winter isn’t far away – do you have everything your dog needs to be comfortable and warm? Whatever winter gear you need, make sure to grab it before fall to avoid items being out of stock.
Leave a Reply