Cold Weather Ignorance

[Stephanie and Ragley]

Winter is coming! (any Game of Throne fans out there??)

Although in middle Tennessee, I don't typically see winters that are too terrible, my boyfriend lives in Columbus, Ohio and the winter there last year was terrible. It seemed that the snow/ice/salt/chemical combo started to bother Ragley's paws on walks, causing pain and discomfort, and I also worried that she may have been too cold by the end of our walks. The weather last year got down to -17 wind chill at times while we were visiting and rumor has it that this year will be just as bad. 

I know some of the "rules of thumb" about hot weather (testing your own feet on hot pavement, etc), but with cold weather, I am a little helpless. At what point does the dog need booties and around what temperature do you feel some sort of insulation is recommended? She typically has around 2-3" of hair, but with no undercoat, I worry that the wind cuts right through to her skin. She loves to play in the snow and I love doing things outdoors with her so I'd like to be prepared for our time up there this winter.

Thank you!

A pic from last winter:

[BG and Gavin]

Wow Donna, that DH of yours is a keeper for sure!

[Nancy, Ned, Clancy, and Charlie]

Your DH is really a keeper!

[Stephanie and Ragley]

What a great DH! Thanks for the advice!

[BG and Gavin]

We had our first cold weather mishap today. Gavin was running around the park with his new young friend and I noticed blood on his paw when we got home. He has a small crack in his pad. He will be treated with Bag Balm tonight to keep those pads supple in the cold weather. I will probably treat my own hands with it too ;)

[AndySharon BoomerShaynaMariner]

Stephanie -

Thank you for bringing this up.  We frequently discuss hot weather issues but the cold weather issues are just as important.  To me it boils down to two separate issues - paw care and exposure to the cold.

This article talks about them (of course none of our dogs stay outside)

http://www.loveyourdog.com/cold.html

The ASPCA has an article: 

http://www.aspca.org/pet-care/cold-weather-tips

Also the AVMA has an article:

https://www.avma.org/public/PetCare/Pages/Cold-weather-pet-safety.a...

[Oliver & Elizabeth]

We got Oliver boots (Granite Gear brand) but he never got used to them (three attempts!) and would just walk around like a horse. It was cute and funny but clearly they weren't his thing.

Seattle doesn't get very cold, but during the polar vortex I bought Oliver a coat because he started shivering on walks. Interestingly, he seemed to like it a lot (more playful on walks) and now I put it on him when it drops below 40. I highly recommend Oliver's coat, it has a waterproof (Seattle tested!) outer layer and is fleece lined, it also looks nice and holds up to washing. It's the Ruffwear K-9 Overcoat, and REI let me bring Oliver in to try out the various coat styles and colors.

Have fun in the snow!

[Stephanie and Ragley]

Thank you for the advice! I'll check out those coats

[BG and Gavin]

Lol that reminds me of this funny video: http://youtu.be/3tH785TVOjI

[Oliver & Elizabeth]

Wow, this is great! So funny--totally reminds me of Oliver trying out his boots!

[Abigail *George & Juno*]

When we first got George her boots she hated them, she doesn't mind them now and walks normal...mostly. Her back left leg she ALWAYS lifts real high and pulls it out for the first 10 minutes or so of the boots. Never another leg, I honestly think she's faking because she'll run and jump around and roll in the snow once she forgets she's supposed to be looking uncomfortable. Lol

[Camilla and Darwin]

Great questions, I often wonder this because I seriously think that Darwin would continue playing until he died of hypothermia! 

[Stephanie and Ragley]

Oh, I KNOW Ragley would continue to play and play even if she was freezing and her paws were bleeding. That's why I am a little nervous about being prepared.