The weather outside is turning frightful and whilst we’d rather be tucked up inside, our dogs still need walking.
As winter draws in, the temperature is dropping and many of us will be going for early morning and evening walks in the dark.
We’ve put together our top tips for keeping you and your dog safe during your daily walkies this winter.
Tips for walking in the dark
Take a familiar route – That way you’re less likely to come across any unexpected surprises. It’s easy for your dog to walk onto unsafe surfaces like frozen lakes and streams in the dark.
Always walk against the traffic –Walking on the side of the road towards oncoming cars if there is no pavement or footpath is safer. If you’re ever near the road, you need to make sure you keep your dog as close to you as possible on their lead.
Avoid using headphones – You’ll need to be able to listen out for any dangers and keep alert, so don’t wear headphones.
Keep your dog on the lead –Staying on the lead is much safer for both of you and your dog is less likely to get into trouble. If you’re letting them off the lead, make sure your dog has good recall to avoid them getting lost.
Keep track of their location – Dark winter nights, heavy rain and foggy weather can result in reduced visibility making it harder to see exactly where your dog is. Our Pawfit 2 features live GPS tracking so you can see exactly where your pup is in the Pawfit app. Plus, the Pawfit device has a light feature which can be turned on in the app so you can spot your pet in low visibility.
Be seen – Wearing something reflective will ensure you and your dog can always be seen. For your dog, try leads and collars/harness with reflective material. You can even buy LED leads for extra visibility.
Take a torch – You may find that in badly lit areas you’ll need the extra light from the torch to avoid any hazards like broken glass (and it’ll help when it comes to picking up your dog’s poop!)
Take a mobile – Always take your fully charged phone out with you in case you or your dog run into any trouble. Make sure you have an emergency vet saved in the contacts, just in case.
Staying warm
Winter walks can leave both you and your dog feeling cold, especially when the temperature drops below 0⁰c. It’s a good idea to get warm and dry as soon as you can when you get home. Here’s how you can help your dog:
- Older dogs, smaller breeds like Chihuahuas and those with thin fur like Greyhounds will need a winter coat.
- Thoroughly dry your dog with a towel after snowy or rainy walks.
- For long haired dogs, its important to keep their paws well-trimmed to prevent clumps of snow or ice balls forming between their toes.
- If your pup has sensitive feet or is prone to footpad injuries, doggy booties can help but most dogs won’t need them. In fact, a lot of dogs can often find them stressful to wear because they restrict their movement and throw them off-balance.
What to do if your dog gets too cold
When the temperatures drop, your dog can be at risk of getting too cold and suffering from a condition called hypothermia. This is a dangerous condition and can cause your dog’s body to shut down. The best way to protect your pooch is to keep them warm on walks and limit the amount of time they spend outside in really cold weather. If you’re worried about your dog getting hypothermia, contact your vet immediately.
Staying active
Just like us humans, some dogs prefer to be more of a couch potato in the winter months. If this is the case with your pup, it’s important to make sure they’re still getting all the exercise they need to stay healthy. With Pawfit, you can keep an eye on how active your pet is throughout the day and if necessary, adjust their food to avoid weight gain.
To get your paws on a Pawfit 2 this winter, visit our online store.
Have any advice to share with the Pawfit community about keeping your dog fit and healthy in winter, let us know by DMing us on Instagram or emailing PawfitPals@Pawfit.com
