Safety Tips for Dogs During This Sub Below Freezing Weather in North Dakota

Some dogs just naturally take to this freezing weather. Breeds such as Siberian Huskies' have the thick fur coat that work well in the snow and minus degree temperatures. But then again, some dogs just can't handle the cold and you need to be sure they don't get frost bite on their foot pads and have adequate shelter to protect them from the wind, freezing rain and snow.

Some working dogs such as Boarder Collies, Siberian Huskies, Akita's, Bernese Mountain Dogs and Chow Chow are breeds that work and live well in very cold weather. They have the thick fur coats and have a blood line that adapts well to the frozen tundra.

You still have to take some precautions for all breeds when it comes to this cold weather. Here are a few tips. First, there are varying factors to take into consideration and by all means, the best advice is to talk to your Vet. Some of the factors are age of your dog, nutritional status, health and coat density. The northern breeds with the thick undercoat do the best: Siberian Huskies, Alaskan Huskies, Malamutes, etc. Puppies under the age of 8 weeks do not handle the cold weather and must be kept inside.

If your dog quickly runs outside, does it's business and runs back in, this means that they had enough outside and is cold. Just follow your dogs lead. Another sign is if your dog does not want to put it's foot down as though is has a sore foot, this means that their foot is very cold. Many times, they will lick and try to bite or chew the ice or snow out from between their foot pads. I have had to carry my dog out of the snow because this happen and their foot and pads are cold. Quickly, carry your dog to some place warm and use your dry hand to rub their paw pads and pull the snow out from between their pads. The warmth of your hand will help quickly warm their pads.

If you have a working dog and they will be working in the snow, take note of their diet,  in very cold weather, the  most breeds of dogs will work better with a higher amount of fat calories. A study shows that dog racing the Iditarod required 10,000 calories a day to meet their metabolic needs. The only way to meet that high caloric need is with a diet high in fat calories.

If you can not keep your dog inside some dog owners of working dogs have individual houses big enough for them to move around inside but small enough to allow them to be warmed with body heat. The house is raised off the ground. The space below the houses provides insulation from the cold ground. Be sure that you constantly monitor the straw or bedding to keep it dry because damp bedding could soon be frozen to the bottom of the doghouse which would be frozen to the ground making it harder to keep the bedding dry.

It is best to keep your dogs inside during the cold weather. What do you do to keep your dog warm during the winter months.

(Source-ASPCA.COM)