Is Your Dog Ready For This Winter?

Winters are here, hot chocolate and warm cuddles are also at their peak, and no one wants to leave their homes, and pet owners know the pain the best. When you have to wake up early to take your dog outside, you wrap yourself up as warmly as possible but what about your dog?

Have you ever thought about how cold might affect your dog or how they can also get frostbite in chilly winds? Yes, it’s true; your dog can get frostbite due to sheer coldness.

For those who don’t know what frostbite is, it is a kind of extreme injury inflicted on body parts by the extreme cold which is common in many animals including dogs.

Although the severity of frostbite depends on how long the body was exposed to extremely low temperatures it is fatal. The size of frostbite can depend on the health condition and breed of your dog. In severe cases, the affected body parts might have to be amputated which is why you must know everything about frostbite and how to prevent it.

How does frostbite occur?

December is here, one of the coldest months of the year which means temperatures ought to be lower than animals can handle.

And according to science any temperature below the level of 32 degrees Fahrenheit can cause frostbite but worry not it usually takes more than that to cause it.

Who’s in the red zone?

Puppies, small dog breeds, and dogs which do not belong to the colder parts of the planet are at the highest risk. On the other hand, a breed that has adapted to survive in colder regions like Siberian huskies is pretty much safe, and at lower risk of getting frostbite.

Instead, as we might all know they rather enjoy being in the cold. But does that mean some breed is safe and won’t get frostbite in any case? No, every dog can get frostbite and as their owner, you need to be cautious in winter.

How to identify the signs of frostbite?

There are several signs and symptoms which are obvious when it comes to identifying frostbites in dogs.

Symptoms that indicate mild frostbite

If you see any part of your dog’s body feeling cold in touch and gray in color then that could be a symptom of mild frostbite.

• Sometimes dogs flinch in pain when touched in the affected area.
• In case a dog is always licking their paws and walking abnormally it can indicate that its paws might be affected.
• In the case of mild frostbite, small ulcers can develop in the affected area.

Symptoms that indicate severe frostbite

• If ignored for a long time, the area affected by frostbite can turn black and the skin hardens and dries up.
• Some odor or discharge might be visible caused by an infection in the affected body part due to dead tissue.
• In the end, the area becomes fragile and even breaks off if it is a smaller part like the tip of the tail or ears.

Is there any way you can treat frostbite?

• Your first call of action must be a call to the veterinarian so that they can observe and understand the problem and prescribe an effective and safe way to recover the damage.  They can also help with the blood flow work in case of internal organ damage.
• Wrap your pet warmly and carefully. In case they are wet, gently dry them off with a dry towel and make sure not to rub the skin. Warm, not hot, warm water bottles can also help to bring their temperature up a bit.
• In case of minor frostbite, you can put dome topical ointments recommended by vets. For severe cases, more care is required; sometimes the affected area needs to be removed or amputated.

Ways you can prevent frostbite?

Prevention is better than cure and if you want to protect your pet from contracting frostbite you can follow some of these steps:

• Breeds that are higher at risk need to wear coverings like snow booties, coats, jackets, or sweaters for regular walks in winter.
• Avoid them from getting wet in the rain or any other water bodies, especially in extreme winters.
• Take short outings in case your pet does not tolerate wearing any coverings.
• If your dog is outside dog make sure they have a warm shelter and are protected from chilly winds. Bring them in if the temperature falls below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.

Bottom line

Frostbite is a very painful condition that often results in severe injuries but with early prevention, you can keep your pet safe.

In case your landlord bans bringing dogs inside you can choose services like ESA letter because a letter can give you access to bring your dog inside even if the landlord is against it.

But there is a catch your pet needs to be your emotional support animal for it to get an emotional support letter.

You can talk to an ESA doctor at My ESA doctors to determine whether you qualify or not. You can also order reliable and 100% legit ESA letters from them.

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