Do you like this story?
Let it snow: A Wisconsin guide for pet-owners
By Phyllis DeGioia
January 12, 2009
My second blog post here, and I have an observation: Gina, Christie and Kim have no idea what it’s like for a lot of us who don’t live in sunny California. I mean, really, sometimes I get e-mails from Gina where she complains about how cold it is. How cold? 48 degrees? Yeah, well, let me clue you in from Wisconsin:
Gina, you don’t know cold. :-)
The dogs love it, through. Romping through snow, catching snowballs,and digging in soft powder for a ball are all part of winter fun. Most dogs who grow up in this climate enjoy the winters, although my Katrina rescues from Mississippi were less than enamored. I love winter; I believe there is no natural beauty greater than fresh snow blanketing the treetops, black noses, and plumed tails.
Granted, cats aren’t quite as exuberant about snow as dogs are (my neighbor’s cat who prefers being outdoors can’t find a good place to poop and spends most of the winter inside, which he hates with a passion), but my cat Dickens is quite fond of his spot in front of the heat vent, and doesn’t care if he’s on a bed or the floor. He’s an indoor cat, so I never have to worry about him freezing to death or curling under a car hood to get warm. It’s a good idea to knock on your hood before you start the car in case a cat has decided to warm up under there. My sister has a cat named Rocky that a Good Samaritan found injured. Rocky had a cut nose and a nearly amputated tail, and we think he was under the hood of the post office Jeep when the engine started.
The biggest problem for dogs with snow is that it gets stuck in dogs’ feet; they try to get the snow out, and by doing so turn it into a snowball. Then they keep trying to get the snowball out and lick it into an ice ball. That’s called snowballing. For dogs who have hair growing between their pads, a frequent trim of hair over, around and especially under the foot is the best way to prevent snowballing. Another approach is a wax product called Mushers Secret, which is designed for sled dogs. Wipe the wax on their pads and between their toes. Made in Canada from food-grade waxes, it really helps prevent snowballing as well as protects pads from salt and de-icers. More on de-icers at a later date, but it helps to wipe off your dog’s feet when coming in to get the salt or chemicals off.
Booties offer terrific protection, but not many dogs tolerate them. I haven’t even tried them – Ginger would become indignant and surly, and Dodger would tremble and freak out. I’ve never seen any at the dog park. I know a Bernese Mountain Dog who, when her people put booties on for the first time, rolled on her back and pathetically waved all four feet in the air and refused to walk, assuming she was incapable of it. If you start using them at a young age, you’ll have a better chance of acceptance.
When it’s so cold out, your dog will need a few extra calories to maintain body weight. I don’t mean an extra cup of food at each meal. I’m talking about a few extra biscuits or a tiny bit more food, such as rounding the food over the top of the measuring cup. This is not an excuse to pork out. Elderly or ill dogs who only go outside to do business probably won’t need the extra calories, but a treat after some fun calorie-burning play or a walk is a good idea.
I don’t bother bringing bottled water to the dog park in winter because it freezes, and anyway the dogs are fine with eating snow. (Notice my restraint from jokes about eating yellow snow at the dog park. It’s killing me.)
Picking up fresh warm malleable poop in snow is far, far, far easier on your hands than chipping out frozen poop with a cold ice pick or trowel. It’s also easier than chipping out multiple mounds of partially frozen poop in the spring thaw.
Sweaters or jackets are not necessary for a lot of dogs, but many dogs appreciate the warmth. Oh, don’t curl your lip; I’m not talking about overpriced frou-frou zebra print velour warm up suits. Fido Fleece makes a body-covering fleece that closes up the back with Velcro; the nice thing about these is that they keep snow off the belly so it stays warm and dry, but the dog has to step through sleeves, which many dogs dislike. Lands’ End makes a fleece-lined water repellent jacket that closes with Velcro at the throat and neck. The belly gets wet, but you don’t have to deal with sleeves. A reflective strip on the jacket helps your dog be seen at dark during winter’s short days. Dogs with low body fat, like Greyhounds and Whippets, small dogs, and some with short coats, like Boxers, should wear something warm outside.
Matted coats don’t insulate against cold temps, so a well-brushed coat is one of your best bets to provide warmth. Winter is no time to shave a pet except for medical tests. If your dog is shaved, consider a sweater or jacket when outside. When one of my dogs was treated for cancer during winter, every dog we saw at the vet school here in Madison was wearing a jacket or sweater. I knit him a sweater that he hated, but it made me feel warm.
For people, winter is all about attitude and wardrobe; for pets, it’s all about common sense. When you can’t go outside for exercise, provide mental stimulation by teaching tricks and playing games. It’s a good time to brush up on some indoor training. It’s not safe for either of you to walk in a blizzard or subzero temps with wind chill (the Akita in my neighborhood might disagree, but he’s an exception). Taking a stroll during or just after a snowfall is breathtaking. The air is crisp and the world is clean and still. Your dog can see fresh bunny and squirrel tracks. Far from being the “winter of our discontent,” this fantastic season is an incredibly fun and exciting time for your dog as long as you approach snow and cold temps with some common sense.
My California co-bloggers, you just don’t know what you’re missing.
(Images: Dodger, top, and Ginger.)
Share & Enjoy
|
Facebook
|
Twitter
|
Google Buzz
|
Digg
|
|
Technorati
|
StumbleUpon
|
Delicious
|
Email
|
Home
Writing from Ottawa where it is cold 5 months of the year.
My current dog guide, and my current retired guide, both were bred and raised in California, so the big move to the frigid North was one that they were not ready for, but have handled admirably.
I am a fan of Mushers Secret, but it can tend to be oily and can make a mess if not applied immediately before going outside.
My dogs actually have booties, and do not fuss to much when they go on.
Comment by Dogs — January 12, 2009 @ 5:49 am
My dog would really rather that I did not put her booties on her—until we get outside, where she won’t walk in the rain without them, or in the snow either once it gets nasty and slushy.
For nice, clean snow, when she’s going to be playing with her doggie friends, losing the boots is a top priority.
Comment by Lis — January 12, 2009 @ 6:13 am
Pffft. I went to Northwestern University and I am well aware of what snow and cold are.
That’s why I came home to San Francisco, so I could complain when it’s in the 40s. ;)
Comment by Christie Keith — January 12, 2009 @ 8:28 am
Oh, I know what you mean. I’m Maine so I know cold and 48 degrees isn’t cold. I’m a bit worried about my new service dog candidate that is coming from California. I’m going to get her a coat and some boots ‘cause it is so cold here right now.
Comment by Keldrena — January 12, 2009 @ 10:05 am
You want to talk cold? Its going to be around 5 degrees tomorrow without windchill. My kitties will be stretched out on the heating vents or in their faux fleece sleepy beds.
My friend has a dog that was kept caged her whole life by a backyard breeder. She’s a lovely dog but she balks at doing her business when its really cold. Its a collie so its not a matter of being cold. Any suggestions?
Comment by 2CatMom — January 12, 2009 @ 10:30 am
We live next door in Minnesota where winter seems to last about half the year. We’ve used Musher’s Secret for years, it’s great stuff and good for more than just feet. If you’ve got a long-coated dog that tends to build up snow balls in the leg-pits, belly or other areas you can wipe a light coat on these areas just before the dog goes out and it prevents much of the buildup.
I’ve had good luck with dog boots, but I train dogs for a living. The key is not to wait until just before you want to take the dog out in them to get him used to them. Like most other things like packs, harnesses, halters, costumes and the like — spend some time getting the dog used to wearing it *before* you need it.
Comment by SmartDogs — January 12, 2009 @ 10:34 am
Cripes… could I have like used the word like, like a few more times in that last sentence?
Comment by SmartDogs — January 12, 2009 @ 10:35 am
We’re a big fan of Fido Fleece around here. My very nekkid female pit bull wears hers around the clock the time of year to keep her warm. On cold days outside, we layer a horseblanket-type coat over it for outings.
Comment by katie — January 12, 2009 @ 10:43 am
Christie, if you’re complaining when it’s in the 40s, then you’ve made an excellent choice to stay put! I grew up in California, was born at Stanford, went to UC Irvine, hung out at Disneyland, but I prefer the seasons in Wisconsin. That said, we are going to have brutal, scary weather this week. aieee!
Comment by Phyllis DeGioia — January 12, 2009 @ 11:25 am
I think I am now traumatized. All this talk of snow and cold makes me need to go sit in the sun. Or drive to the bay where it is to be in the 70’s today.
Comment by Swellyn — January 12, 2009 @ 12:23 pm
My English Setter Tara wore booties, but it was for all the mud we had to deal with while living in BC! She didn’t mind them at all, which surprised me.
I agree with you about the beauty of snow, and I would get bored living in a less-varied climate. Our dogs seem to love winter more than summer; go figure! These two would laugh at booties, I think.
Great post, thanks. :)
Comment by Natalie R — January 12, 2009 @ 12:53 pm
Christie - when were you at Northwestern? (I went there as well).
Comment by 2CatMom — January 12, 2009 @ 3:07 pm
Does anyone have a good recommendation on dog booties? My dog will wear them, but I have some cheap, thin ones from Petco that I just don’t think will last me too much longer.
Comment by Tara — January 12, 2009 @ 5:28 pm
Does Musher’s Secret smell at all? I’d like to try it on my girl, but I’m really sensitive to stinky things…
She’s been wearing Muttluks for years now and they really help with the snow/ice packing in her feet(we call them her “go faster” boots and told her that she could go faster in the snow with them - she likes that they keep her feet dry and bounces along with them happily). The only problem is that as she gets older, her arthritis is creeping up on her and the boots are starting to trip her up a bit…so something that I could just apply before going out would be a helpful thing.
Comment by mikken — January 12, 2009 @ 7:25 pm
Yes, it does smell, but I find it pleasant, somewhat astringent but clean smelling.. I swear by it, since finding a boot maker to make boots that actually fit small “hare” feet difficult, let alone the time spent clicking and treating 6 dogs into wearing them. Musher’s Secret however works beautifully. The leftover wax can then be rubbed into my own hands, and works as well as for me as any expensive hand rub like Eucerin cream.
Comment by Anne T — January 12, 2009 @ 8:15 pm
http://www.petacular.com/produ.....ction.html
A few of the top local pet stores up here in the white Maine north have switched from Mushers Secret to a new hemp product for paws. I have not tried it myself, but I hear good things!
Comment by nancy freedman-smith — January 12, 2009 @ 10:04 pm
Thanks for that Nancy, but it’s got tea tree oil, which I can’t tolerate.
Anne T, the Musher’s Secret folks tell me that there’s no added scent to their product, but reviews online indicate a strong smell to it.
I’ll keep looking. Thanks!
Comment by mikken — January 13, 2009 @ 6:43 am
Nice tips. I would also like to caution dog owners to not let their dogs run off leash near bodies of water during the cold season. It seems like there is a story every week here in Denver about a dog being rescued or dying from being trapped in a frozen pond.
Comment by Jason Merrihew — January 13, 2009 @ 10:48 am
My son lost his apartment and needs to find a place for his cat until he can find a new apartment. We can’t help him with the cat. Do you have any ideas? Thanks.
Comment by Bruce — August 3, 2010 @ 6:45 pm
OHHHHH PREACH IT Phyllis! OMG We are literally and seriously trapped. Our streets have not been cleared and while they will eventually clear the streets, I still have no clue how we are going to get out of the alley! 5 foot drifts. Milwaukee is totally shut down basically. 22% of the side streets are plowed right now. OY!
Now come spring, mayhaps you can introduce them to poop soup. You know that poop we miss in the really bad weather that thaws!
Right now we are hoping the state fair gets cleared for the Great lakes Pet expo!
Comment by Cindy Steinle — February 2, 2011 @ 12:38 pm