Dog Winter Care With HUFT

Every season brings along a change to our pet’s care routine and winter is no different. With the weather getting increasingly cold, your dogs in winter will require you to update your dog winter care routine to keep them safe, healthy & protected. Here’s a guide on the three broad areas of winter care for your dog:

1. For Cosiness and Comfort

An essential part of winter care for pets includes making sure that your pets are comfortable both indoors and during outdoor activities. Each season brings with it specific needs for both people and their pets. So, what can you do to prepare your dogs for these increasingly cold winters?

• Make a warm & comfortable space
  
  
  Dogs may love snuggling with you at night, but it is important that they have their own space as well. You can create a cosy spot with a comfy dog bed and add a blanket to make it warmer. Senior dogs may benefit from an orthopaedic bed that is easy to step on and offers sufficient support. If your pet likes to follow you around the house and naps wherever you’re working, a pet mat can help keep them off chilly floors. Pet mats are easy to move around and can be spread out almost anywhere. These also come in handy on car rides and can ensure that your dog winter care preparation is on point. 
  
  HUFT Tip: Remember to position beds and pet mats away from cold drafts that may blow in from doors and windows.
  
  
• Keep your dog’s winter wear ready!
  
  
  Despite the season, the eventful life of a dog never stops. Add a lightweight dog sweater or a cosy and comfortable dog sweatshirt to your dog winter care arsenal. It will not only keep them protected from the harsh parts of the season but will also make sure your dogs in winter continue living their best lives. Walking your dog in cold weather without appropriate winter protection gear can take a toll on their health. A warm & comfy dog jacket that is soft on the skin, can safely help your dog to extract the maximum amount of fun during wintertime walks. 
  

HUFT Tip: Even winter days experience highs and lows in temperature. So, remember to keep the sweater on only for a few hours at a time. Keep an eye on your dog, if he or she is starting to feel hot and uncomfortable, take the sweater off – you don’t want your pet to overheat.

Please refer to our size charts and fit guides to find the perfect pet wear!

 2. For the Coat and Skin

Cool winter breezes bring with it dry skin. Dryness can make your pet’s skin itchy and turn him or her into an ever-scratching, uncomfortable bundle. Constant and severe scratching can also break the skin, causing light bleeding. So, you must pay attention to your dog’s skin this season to make sure that your dog winter care routine is optimum.

• Protect the skin & coat
  
  Coconut Oil Massages are great for hydrating your dog’s skin & coat. Add virgin, organic and cold-pressed coconut oil to your dog winter care essentials list. A massage with it not only relaxes your pet but also leaves the coat with a lovely, glossy finish. As an additional benefit, coconut oil on the skin helps small scrapes heal and eases irritation from flea bite allergies.
  
  
• Don’t forget the conditioner
  
  
  After giving your pet a bath, be careful to use a conditioner to leave the coat protected. The general dryness of the season leads to static and your pet may get an unpleasant shock when he walks past curtains or lays down on mats. You can also use conditioner-based dog shampoos. Remember to always use dog shampoos and conditioners that are formulated for dogs, not humans. Dogs have skin with a different pH level than ours and human shampoos are very harsh for their skin.
  
  
• Focus on the snout & paw too
  
  
  Snout Butter and Paw balms are the perfect remedies for cracked paw pads and noses. Winter tends to dry them out, so remember to dab on a bit of snout butter to keep those adorable noses gleaming. Paw balm works well as a dog paw moisturiser. Make sure you apply it on the paw pads just before bedtime so your pet doesn’t march around the house with it and rub it off in seconds!
  
  
• Have a ‘Plan B’ for Baths!
  
  The weather forecast for Bath Day may not always be favourable. Baths for your dogs if the sun isn’t out to dry their coats well is never a good idea. So between baths, use pet wipes or dry shampoo for dogs to keep your pet’s coat refreshed, clean and smelling good! Alternatively, go to a grooming salon where they can use a professional dryer.

HUFT Tip: Use our store locator to find the nearest HUFT Spas in your area for a professional & fun pet grooming experience!

3. For their Diet

• Honey is a superfood that strengthens your pet’s overall immunity by fighting infections and digestive problems. It has plenty of antioxidants and does wonders for sore throats and coughs. Please speak to a vet or a certified canine nutritionist on the dosage as this varies from one pet to another. If he or she has never had it before, the doses will begin very small and be increased very gradually. Honey is only to be given to adult dogs and is not suitable for pups.

• Fish inclusions are ideal for dogs in the winter season. They contain plenty of omega fatty acids that improve the health of your pet’s coat and skin. Another superfood for dogs is turmeric, so the golden paste is another excellent natural supplement.

• Hydration is very important for effective dog winter care, but the cold weather discourages your pet from drinking their usual quota of water. Make up for it by including wet dog food, soups and broths in their diets!

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