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Cold weather tips for dogs.

Outdoor dogs can continue to live outdoors during the winter. As the owner, you will want to take some precautions to keep your dog healthy and safe. Here are some tips:

1. Assess your doghouse to ensure it is adequate for the weather. If your dog doesn't have a doghouse, construct a substantial one. By substantial, it doesn't need to be a palace. Rather, your dog will appreciate a warm, cozy bungalow.

2. Place the house in an area protected from the wind and place it on a platform so that the floor isn't flat against the frozen ground. Also, some insulation will help keep your dog warm.

3. Check your dog's bedding to ensure that it isn't wet. There's nothing worse than trying to nap on a wet bed in cold weather. So, change your dog's bedding frequently (straw works well as an alternative to bedding).

4. Check your dog's pads during winter weather. The salt from sidewalks and streets can cause cracking. Wipe your dog's pads with a warm moist cloth to remove any accumulated salt. Also, keep the fur between its toes clipped so snowballs don't collect there and make your dog colder. Your dog is not saving them for a snowball fight.

5. Often snowballs form on the fur on their chests also. Clipping the fur will help keep snowballs to a minimum. Your dog will appreciate it if you remove the snowballs with warm moist cloths.

6. Puppies and elderly dogs should not be left outdoors. They will need a warmer area during extreme weather.

7. Shovel a potty area for your dog so they won't have to fight piles of snow. If your dog lives indoors with you in the winter, this will reduce the number of accidents in the house. You'll have to admit that that's a real plus.

8. Give your dog a bowl of warm water a couple times a day to ensure that it drinks enough water. Frozen water just doesn't work.

9. Dogs eat more and exercise less during extreme weather, so you might want to watch the number of treats you give during these times.

10. Finally, for small dogs, it's probably wise to help them out with a coat or sweater on the worst days.

By following these tips, you'll find it takes little effort to keep your dog happy and healthy during the winter months. Your dog will appreciate you for it.

Learn more about this author, Lou Belcher.
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