Winter Vacations With Dogs – Some of the links on this page are affiliate links, which means we may receive a small commission if you make a purchase through these links. This is at no cost to our readers and helps us keep our site running. Our reputation is our most important asset, so we only offer completely honest and unbiased recommendations. Learn more about us
Taking your dog for a walk in the rain or snow is a lot of fun and a great way to stay active during the winter. But venturing out with your pup in cold, wet conditions comes with its own challenges. Here are some tricks we’ve learned to keep our dogs comfortable, happy and healthy on winter walks.
Winter Vacations With Dogs
Here’s a quick rundown of our favorite winter gear for dogs if you’re in a hurry. You can use this as a checklist, although many of the items below are optional. We also provide more information below about why we recommend these products.
Husky Snowshoe Walk
Factors such as breed, size, age, coat type, activity level and metabolism determine how well your dog will perform in cold temperatures. Watch your dog in the cold near home before taking him on a big winter trip. Look for signs of discomfort such as shaking, twitching, refusal to walk or lift/lick paws. You know your dog best, so use your common sense to decide when it’s appropriate to take him out for a walk and when it’s best to leave him at home. Most healthy, active dogs can withstand freezing temperatures, but some may benefit from a
Snow sticks to dogs under certain conditions and can cause hypothermia or injury if it gets out of control.
When traveling with dogs, the key is to be open to changing plans. If the situation is worse than you expected, it’s okay to turn around and switch to Plan B. Just like us, dogs have good days and bad days—sometimes they spend hours in the snow, other times they whisper before from him. no parking spaces are visible. Don’t push your luck if things don’t seem safe, especially if you’re more than an hour away from your car. It’s better to cut your trip short and take a more stable hike or hike in the comfort of your home than to make a winter mistake that could result in serious injury or even death.
Interested dogs can expend a lot of energy early on, so keep winter walks short and learn slowly.
White Wilderness Sled Dog Adventures
Dogs may be very excited to walk on snow or ice at first, but it’s best to put something on your dog’s paws if they start to show signs of discomfort. Prolonged exposure to cold surfaces (or the salt used to defrost them) can be harmful to your dog’s paws and cause cracks, blisters, and even hypothermia. Dog boots are a simple solution. Your little dog may walk funny at first, but he’ll soon forget he’s being carried as soon as something more interesting catches his eye. If boot waxes aren’t for your dog, or if you have trouble keeping them on your hyper friend’s feet, try Musher’s Secret Waxes. Apply the balm generously to the paw pads and between the toes to create a protective barrier and prevent snow. For best results, nails and paw hair should also be trimmed short.
Musher’s Secret Wax creates a protective barrier for your dog’s skin and helps prevent snow from sticking to his paws
Some dogs—especially those with longer or textured coats—are prone to snow accumulation or “snowballs” stuck to their undersides, pits, and paws. As these snowballs get bigger, they become heavy and can pull on your dog’s sensitive skin. your dog’s body will catch it quickly, and ice balls stuck between his toes can cause cracks. To avoid this, stop and check on your dog every now and then. Crush large snowballs between your fingers to avoid pulling and gently massage your hair to remove it. as much snow as you can. Try pre-treating problem areas by making the coat slippery with coconut oil cooking spray. Test a small area before going in to make sure your dog is not allergic. If snowballs are a problem for your dog, a costume with belly and leg coverage is a good choice.
If snowballing is a problem for your dog, try coconut oil cooking spray or a cloth that covers the belly and legs.
Sno Much Fun, On A Shoestring Budget
It’s best to familiarize yourself with the landscape before taking your dog for a winter walk. This way, you’ll know if there are steep slopes, frozen lakes, or potential avalanche terrain before you let your dog off the leash (when permitted). If you’re going somewhere new with your pup, keep him on a leash or be 100% sure he will follow voice commands for safety. Know the signs of avalanche danger and avoid going to frozen lakes unless you know how to assess the ice. Pockets of loose snow around trees (tree holes) can suffocate a dog if he gets stuck in them. To reduce this risk, keep your dog on a leash or in sight if there is heavy, fresh snow and there are large trees nearby so they can be dug up quickly in an emergency.
Dogs don’t see danger the same way we do, so know the terrain or keep your dog on a leash if you’re unsure.
Whether you’re hiking, shoveling snow, or cross-country skiing with your dog, they’re sure to be thrilled and work hard to keep up with you. Keep your canine companion hydrated by offering him water during travel. If you really want, you can even share some of the electrolyte drink mix with your dog. A good rule of thumb is to offer them a drink of water whenever you pick them up. We love these collapsible dog bowls because they’re super lightweight, packable, and affordable. If you like dehydration, you can teach your dog to drink by bending down and spraying small jets of water at an angle.
Try giving your dog a drink from a water bottle or hydration pack by spraying it with a small spray.
Woman Snowed In On Vacation Builds Epic Maze For Dogs: ‘core Memory’
Your body burns more calories to stay warm in the winter, and the same goes for dogs. Winter sports are generally considered vigorous exercise, so pack enough snacks to keep you and your pup going at all times. As a precaution, in winter, bring your own air container with food for our dogs in the car. Buy lots of exercise to reward them for staying close to you and interacting with you during the trip. This handy bag makes it easy to eat anything from dried grains to fresh meat, on the go.
If it’s cold outside, your body temperature will drop quickly when you stop moving. It’s a good idea to bring a mat (depending on your dog’s size) that separates you and your dog from the floor while resting. The foam pad is a little bulky, but it’s lightweight and easy to attach to the basket. You’ll be happy with this in case of an emergency, especially if there’s snow on the ground.
A foam pad like the NEO Switchback is great for protecting your dog from cold, wet floors on winter trips.
No matter how cold your pup is, he’s likely to feel cold when he stops moving – especially when he’s wet. We keep the quick dry towel in the car to completely dry our dog in the fall and winter. Remove wet belts, jackets or boots and pay special attention to drying the legs, paws, belly and groin, as these areas tend to be the most saturated and take the longest to dry. We always offer the dog a drink to ensure he is well hydrated when we get to the car and a treat to reinforce good behavior and participation in our routines after a walk.
Tips For Hiking With Your Dog In Winter
A quick-drying towel is useful for dog owners all year round – we have several and always have one in the car
It’s great to have a blanket in the car so your dog has a nice place to curl up and sleep after a hard workout—we’re big fans of this waterproof sherpa fleece from Oceas. If the trip was particularly wet or very cold, you can wear a bathrobe to further dry your dogs and prevent them from getting cold when wet. This can be especially helpful if you plan on leaving your pup in the car while you go out to eat on the way home (assuming the temperature isn’t too extreme). Lastly, we love our dog hammock for the car. This will keep your dog safe and secure in the back seat and protect the seats themselves from mud and scratches. Just throw it in the washing machine when it needs refreshing. We can honestly say that there is a
