In winter, dog owners are faced with issues that they hardly or never have to think about during the rest of the year. We would like to address classic questions that can arise in winter and look at topics such as

• road salt
• Safety & Dog Clothing
• snow eating
• sense of smell in the snow
• joint problems in winter

and bring some light into the dark season.

Cold doesn't just affect us. It's not called "dog cold" for nothing! 

Is road salt dangerous for my dog?

Road salt can be dangerous for your dog if it comes into contact with his paws or if he licks it off.

The salt on the roads can irritate or even damage sensitive dog paws. The fact that road salt is unpleasant for dogs is often shown by the fact that dogs limp on salted paths and roads. To prevent this, applying a protective Vaseline or paw balm  help.

What can you do about the danger of road salt? 

Around the road salt hazard  To minimize the risk of contamination, it is important to thoroughly rinse and clean the dog's paws with warm water after a walk on salted paths and streets. This will remove any salt stuck to the paws and prevent the pads from becoming cracked due to contact with road salt. Paw care is therefore particularly important in winter. 

This also prevents your dog from licking its paws, which could cause salt and possibly chemical substances to be ingested and enter the digestive tract. They have no place there, as this could lead to health problems with symptoms such as diarrhea and vomiting.

It is advisable to choose alternative routes for walking your dog and to avoid gritted paths and roads wherever possible. This is usually the case on field and forest paths or less busy areas.

For dogs with longer fur, you should also trim the hair between the pads to prevent ice clumps from forming there.

So is road salt dangerous for your dog? Road salt can irritate dog paws and ingesting road salt can lead to health problems. However, if you take care of your dog's paws and clean them after walks, you have nothing to fear.

Your dog eats snow – harmless or risky?

Many dogs love snow and love to romp around in it. Eating snow is also very popular and is anything but unusual. Your dog eats snow and you have ever wondered if that is bad?

Dogs like to eat snow

Snow should be enjoyed with great caution. Small amounts of snow are no problem for some dogs. However, sensitive dogs or large amounts of snow can cause a so-called snow gastritis  This is an acute inflammation of the stomach lining caused by irritation of the stomach lining and can be very painful. Possible symptoms may include stomach/intestinal noises, abdominal pain, diarrhea and Fever  be.

Danger of contaminated snow

The cause is not only the amount of snow collected, but often also contaminated snow.Along with the snow, road salt, grit and antifreeze can also be ingested and these are things that definitely have no place in a dog's gastrointestinal tract.

So, if your dog eats any snow at all, only let him eat some of the fresh, clean snow to avoid the risk of gastritis.

Also, as in kindergarten and school, don't throw snowballs! This encourages children to eat snow even more.

Why does my dog ​​sniff so much in the snow?

Have you ever asked yourself this?

A dog's sense of smell is impressive and highly developed. However, different weather conditions affect the smells.

Snow consists of countless ice crystals, which, when viewed under a microscope, consist of many branching arms. In contrast to a drop of water, this means there is a larger surface area on which the odor molecules can adhere. In addition, the odor molecules adhere to ice crystals for significantly longer. For this reason, odors in snow are "preserved" so to speak and can be smelled more intensely and for longer by our dogs.

This explains why your dog uses his nose so much in the snow. But the snow also gives us a glimpse into the world of dogs, because the tracks in the snow show us what would otherwise remain hidden from us. It can be fascinating to watch your dog as he explores and to be able to see, so to speak, what your dog smells: whether a mouse or a rabbit has crossed the path or where the neighbor's male dog has already marked.

The short and sweet answer to why your dog sniffs so much in the snow is: Because there is a lot more to smell due to the odor particles adhering to the ice crystals.

Safe and protected through the winter

For some dogs, a dog coat can be beneficial, especially for sick and old dogs. A coat also makes sense for dogs with very little fur and no undercoat. If the dog is cold, it is definitely advisable to protect it from the cold, wind, snow and rain with a coat.

However, your dog should get some use out of the clothing. Dressing him just because it looks chic or cute defeats the purpose. There are many dogs that are very well adapted to winter weather and for whom it is unnecessary.

How do I know if my dog ​​is cold?

If your dog is shivering, it could be a sign that he is cold. You can also tell that a dog is cold by its tense, awkward gait. Just like us, dogs tense their muscles when they are cold. They often pull up their stomachs and arch their backs slightly. The discomfort is written all over many dogs' faces.

Of course, trembling, a stiff gait and a hunched-up stomach always have to be considered in a specific context, as they can also have other causes.

Does your dog need a coat? This question is actually easy to answer. If your dog shows signs of being cold outside, you should protect him from the wind and cold with a dog coat.

The right dog coat

When choosing a dog coat, it is important to make sure that it fits properly and is comfortable for the dog to wear. A coat should not be too small or too big. A coat that is too small will restrict your dog's movement and could cause painful chafing.A coat that is too big does not provide sufficient protection and also hinders movement.

The material of the coat should be as water-repellent or waterproof as possible to protect against rain and snow. Get expert advice if you are unsure about buying a dog coat. Your dog should be able to try the coat on in a specialist shop beforehand. When buying online, it is important to measure your dog precisely beforehand. For most manufacturers, the back length and chest circumference are the deciding factors.

Getting used to the dog coat

Some dogs can be put in a winter coat and they go for a walk as if nothing had happened. Other dogs don't like having anything on at all at first. If you have one of these dogs, you should slowly get them used to it and associate the coat with something positive, such as treats or petting. Coat models that are pulled over the dog's head are particularly uncomfortable for many dogs. If you train your dog in a playful way to put his head through independently, this will soon no longer be a problem.

Safe in the Dark

But safety also plays a big role in winter. In the dark season, it is particularly important to make sure that you and your dog are visible to drivers, cyclists, other dog owners, passers-by, etc. For this reason, some dog coats are already equipped with reflectors. A light-up collar provides additional visibility. This means that your dog is not only visible to you, but also to all other road users. But not only your dog, but also you should make sure that you are seen in the dark. Whether it is a flashlight, jogging light, safety vest, reflectors or light bands... make sure that you are seen too.

N Don't leave it in the car...

This sentence is on everyone's lips in the summer. But it also applies to very low temperatures in the winter. Your dog shouldn't have to stay in the car for too long in the winter either. While you're driving, a car is quite comfortable, but as soon as you turn it off, it cools down faster than you think. And then it can quickly become uncomfortable for your dog.

When your joints hurt in winter

It is particularly common in winter: reluctance to move, pain when starting, stiff gait and lameness. This indicates pain in the musculoskeletal system. If you notice these symptoms in your dog, it is advisable to visit your vet.

A common cause of movement abnormalities such as lameness – especially in older dogs – osteoarthritis This causes the cartilage in the joints, which actually acts as a buffer, to wear down. This causes pain in the affected areas.

This is often an age-related wear and tear problem. Older dogs are particularly affected. But genetic predispositions, accidents and excessive or incorrect strain can also be the cause of osteoarthritis. 

Damp climates and cold temperatures often make joint pain worse. It is therefore advisable to support your dog in this regard during the cold season. In addition to veterinary care, you can treat your dog with physiotherapy and joint-supporting feed supplements  support.You should also continue to make sure your dog gets enough exercise, as maintaining muscles is important. Protect your dog from the wet and cold with appropriate dog clothing and provide warm, comfortable places to lie down.

Please note, that symptoms such as a stiff gait and lameness can also have other causes. Therefore, always have the cause clarified by a veterinarian.