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Walking your dog in the rain or snow is fun and a great way to stay active during the winter. But traveling with your pup in cold, wet weather comes with its own set of challenges. Here are a few tips we’ve learned to keep our dogs comfortable, happy, and healthy during the winter holidays.
Winter Vacations With Dogs
Here’s a rundown of our favorite winter dog gear if you’re in a hurry. While many of the items below are optional, you can use them as a checklist. Below we also provide additional information about why we recommend these products.
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Factors such as breed, size, age, coat type, activity level and metabolism will determine how well your dog does in cold temperatures. Before you go on a big winter trip, watch your dog in the cold outside your home. Look for signs of discomfort such as shaking, rolling, refusal to walk, or picking/pressing the legs. You know your dog best, so use common sense when deciding when to take him on a trip and when to leave him at home. Most healthy and active dogs can withstand freezing temperatures, but some may benefit from it.
Ice sticks to dogs under certain conditions and can cause hypothermia or injury if left untreated.
When you travel with your dog, it’s important to be prepared for changes in plans. If the situation is more difficult than expected, it’s best to move on to Plan B. Just like us, dogs have good days and bad days – sometimes they spend hours plowing snow, and sometimes they just destroy it. There wasn’t even a parking lot in sight. Don’t push your luck if the situation is unsafe, especially if you are driving for more than an hour. It’s better to cut your trip short and go on a more sheltered hike or from the comfort of your home than to make winter mistakes that could result in serious injury or death.
Excited dogs tend to expend more energy at first, so keep walking during the winter and gradually get used to it.
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Excited dogs may seem like they’re walking on snow or ice at first, but if they start to show discomfort, it’s a good idea to bring something to put on your dog’s paws. Prolonged exposure to cold surfaces (or deicing salt) can harm your dog’s paw pads and lead to cracks, blisters and even hypothermia. Dog boots are a simple solution. Your puppy may run around funny at first, but when something more fun comes along, he forgets to put it on. If shoes aren’t for your dog or you’re having trouble staying on your hyper friend’s feet, try Musher’s Secret Vaccin instead. Apply the balm generously to paw pads and between toes to create a protective barrier and prevent ice formation. For best results, you should also trim the nails and paw hair short.
Musher’s Secret Wax creates a protective barrier for your dog’s skin and helps prevent frost from sticking to his paws.
Some dogs, especially those with long or curly hair, are prone to ice or “snowballs” that stick to their butts, hooves and nails. As these snowballs increase in size, they become heavier and can pull on your dog’s sensitive skin. Snow that gets into the puppy’s body will quickly cool it down, causing the snowballs between its toes to crack. To avoid this, stop and check on your dog from time to time. Crush a large snowball between your fingers to avoid pulling on sore hair and gently massage the fur to remove the snow. To avoid the dreaded snowball problem, you can try treating problem areas by spraying the fur with coconut oil cooking spray. Before going outside, test a small area to make sure your dog doesn’t have allergies. If your dog has problems with snowballs, using a belly and leg cover is a good option.
If snowballs are a problem for your dog, try coconut oil cooking spray or a coat that covers the belly and legs.
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Before you take your dog on a winter hike, it’s best to know where to stay. This way you will know if there is a steep cliff, frozen lake or avalanche before you release the dog (if allowed). If you take your puppy to a new place, keep him on a leash or be 100% confident that he will obey your voice commands for safety. Know the signs of avalanche danger and avoid being on a frozen lake unless you have experience forecasting snow. Loose snow pockets (wells) around trees can prevent dogs from suffocating if they get stuck in one. To reduce this risk, if there is heavy, fresh snow and large trees around, keep your dog on a leash or out of sight so you can dig quickly in an emergency.
Dogs don’t see danger the way we do, so familiarize yourself with the area or hold your dog if you’re unsure.
Whether you’re hiking, snowshoeing, or cross-country skiing with your dog, he’ll have a blast and work hard to bond with you. Make sure your canine companion stays hydrated by providing water throughout your trip. If you really want to, you can also give your dog a small amount of an electrolyte drink mixture. A good rule of thumb is to give them something to drink when you take them. We love this collapsible dog bowl because it’s lightweight, compact, and affordable. If you are a dehydrated pakfan, you can train your dog to drink from it by bending down and splashing a small amount of water to the side.
Try letting your dog drink from a water bottle or drinking bag in a small stream.
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Your body burns more calories to stay warm in the winter, and so does your dog. Winter sports are typically considered high-energy exercise, so be sure to pack plenty of snacks to keep you and your pup motivated. Carry a sealed dog food container in your car during the winter. Fill it with lots of learning exercises to reward them for sticking around and engaging you throughout the journey. These treats make it easy to whip up anything from dry kibbles to fresh meat on the go.
If you’re cold, your body temperature will drop quickly when you stop moving. It is recommended to bring an acid pad (depending on the size of your dog) to isolate you and your dog from the floor while you rest. The foam pad is a little bulky, but it’s lightweight and easy to throw in your backpack. You will be happy in an emergency, especially if there is snow on the ground.
Foam pads like the NEO Switchback are great for protecting your dog from the cold, wet ground while traveling in the winter.
No matter how much cold your puppy can tolerate, he is cold when he stops moving, especially when it’s raining. We keep Aquik-Dry towels in the car to thoroughly dry our dogs in the fall and winter. Remove wet belts, jackets or boots and pay special attention to drying your legs, feet, abdomen and groin, as these areas are most saturated with water and take the longest to dry. We always give our dogs a drink to make sure they are well hydrated when we get to the car and a treat to reinforce their good behavior and cooperation with their post-hike routine.
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Quick-drying towels are great for dog owners all year round—we have several and always keep one in the car.
It’s a good idea to keep a blanket in the car to give your dog a cozy place to curl up and sleep after a vigorous workout – we’re big fans of Aussie’s waterproof sherpa fleece. If the trip is particularly wet or very cold, you can wear a dog robe, which will help your dog stay dry and cool in the rain. This is especially useful if you plan to leave your puppy in the car while you go out to lunch on the way home (assuming the temperatures aren’t too extreme). Lastly, we love the hammock in the car for the dog. It keeps your dog safe in the back seat and protects the seat from dirt and scratches. Throw it in the washing machine when it needs a refresh. We can honestly say that this is one
