It never rains in California: winter care tips for SoCal dogs
By Kim Campbell Thornton
January 12, 2009
Like Wisconsin dogs, SoCal canines have special needs during the winter season. They must weather the trials of rain, hot sunshine, wind and dust. Here are some tips for making it through winter to spring with a clean, happy dog.
First, the rain. It does rain in California, quite heavily sometimes. Albert Hammond, who wrote and released the aforementioned song in 1972, knew what he was talking about: “It pours, man, it pours.” Depending on whether we’re in a drought, rainy season begins in October and can continue through March or April. If you have a Lab or some other water-loving dog, not a problem. After a walk, take him in through the mudroom or garage–if you live in a real house–where you can thoroughly dry him before letting him back in the house. Or stack towels by the front door and teach your dogs to sit and wait to be dried before running up the stairs.
Got a little (or big) dog that hates getting wet? Take a tip from me and don’t ever let them find out that there’s an option to going outdoors. Even if it’s pouring Persians and Pekingese, we leash up and go outside morning, noon and night for potty trips. If you’re a nice person or have a thin-coated dog, you can purchase a raincoat to help keep the dog dry and warm. In a pinch, a plastic trash bag with holes cut out for the head and legs will do. Savanna the Greyhound had a raincoat. The spaniels have plenty of coat and don’t seem to mind the rain, so they go out naked.
Happily, except for that whole lack-of-water thing, we’re not having rainy season this year, at least not much. That means dust. All dust, all the time. If I pet Twyla before brushing her, my fingertips often come away black. Bella and Harper’s paws stay white for a few hours max after a bath, then turn a dingy gray until the next bath. We keep this by the front door, and it helps a little. So do doormats at the front door and garage door and a cotton rug from IKEA in the entryway. We have two so we can alternate when one’s in the wash.
Then there’s the wind and its companion, static electricity. To avoid zapping or being zapped by your dog, use a moisturizing anti-static spray or conditioner made for dogs every time you brush or bathe. It also helps keep loose hair from sticking to your clothes and furniture.
When it’s not raining and there’s no marine layer turning the sky a gloomy gray, we must cope with glorious sunshine. Today, for instance, it’s 84 degrees. Light-coated and thin-coated dogs need protection from the sun’s dangerous rays to ensure that they don’t get sunburned. Pick up some sunscreen for dogs and apply it to the ears, nose and tender belly. Thin-skinned or hairless dogs should have it applied all over.
Winter in California is beach time for dogs, and it’s the best season for hiking. For trips to the beach or backwoods, be sure to tote along a good brush to remove sand and debris from the fur before your dog gets back in the car. If you have a wave chaser, rinse him in fresh water and dry him thoroughly, especially inside the ears, to prevent skin problems.
Phyllis, we’ve got yellow and red leaves blowing all over the place (and getting stuck in Twyla’s fur), and you can drive to the snow in less than two hours. Step away from the dark, cold side. Come back to the light!
As a native who’s moving back at some point this year, I’ve been tracking the weather at my new location in the mountains there. They’ve been getting some good ol’ ski snow :) Not a yearly thing at the level I’ll be living at, but after about 20yrs here (NY), I think I can handle it ;) Dot loves a good romp in da snow!
Another thing CA (and other!) pet owners need to deal with is earthquakes, wildfires, floods, etc. So on top of the seasonal weather, I’d like to throw out the emergency preparedness angle :) No matter where you live, Mother Nature could visit. Please be prepared! Plan ahead and check what you need from basic essentials of food, first aid, and shelter (including weather wear) to “get the heck outta dodge plans”. Check with your local services as to what you need to evac with pets. What “papers” you need, carriers, etc and have a plan. I may not be in the CA mountains yet, but I do know how I want to handle an evac with 6 pets. Here in the NYC area, we get an instruction piece in the mail as to how we should be prepared with our pets in a weather (or other) emergency. The city came up with a plan before the Fed Gov did and it covers the particulars of living somewhere where everyone doesn’t have transport etc, so I would check with your local Gov on what their plans/requirements are :)
I also need to second the towels at the door and teaching the dog to “stay” and wait for “towel” time. My dog remembers more often than I do! I keep them there year round because of the weather here, and I have to laugh about how much more responsible she is than I. If you get into a routine at the door for a bit, you may just end up with a pup or 2 that has better house manners than you!
Comment by straybaby — January 12, 2009 @ 11:20 pm
But Kim, I *am* in the light that’s reflected off the piles of snow! Okay, many winter days are so dark you need the lights on, but that’s okay. I am now officially averse to heat and 80 degree days make me melt. Granted, this week’s scary subzero temps and frightening windchills are dangerous and no one’s idea of the good part of winter, but I do love it.
What I miss from California (besides friends and family) is the coast, ripe avocadoes, and the Los Angeles Times. I never miss the boring weather!
Comment by Phyllis DeGioia — January 13, 2009 @ 6:59 am
Another thing CA (and other!) pet owners need to deal with is earthquakes, wildfires, floods, etc.
Comment by straybaby — January 12, 2009
True, true, true. Where I live, two historic rivers (the Sacramento and the American) are contained behind levees that haven’t exactly been carefully and well maintained over the decades (I’m with Obama: INFRASTRUCTURE, folks!).
Massive floods wiped out the city a couple times in its early days, and as late as 1986 we the pressure on the river levees was so strong that emergency planning officials actually considered blowing some levees and sacrificing one area to save the rest.
In any case, I have an emergency evacuation kits — crates, leashes, muzzles, food, bowls, litter, water, etc. ready and I always try to keep the van full of fuel, just in case.
Of course, like anyone else I really am careful about this after a disaster elsewhere or near-miss here. I got “religion” after Katrina. So … I think I add checking out and updating the emergency plan/supplies to my near-term to-do list.
Comment by Gina Spadafori — January 13, 2009 @ 7:03 am