Now that the cold weather has actually arrived it's time to take extra special care of your dog if it lives outside by providing it with the right size kennel in a place protected from the wind and rain. The kennel should also have some blankets inside for your dog to snuggle into. If you don't have a kennel and they sleep on a patio or veranda be sure to keep their bedding off the cold ground. Get them a dog bed of the right size. The ones with the metal frame like in the picture are a good option. You can also buy a pillow that fits the frame and this makes your dog even more comfortable.
Another really important thing is to buy a nice warm dog coat. Visit a pet shop and they can help you choose the right one.
If your dog suffers from arthritis you need to pay extra attention to how your outside dog is cared for. It will definitely need to be kept warm. If you know anyone with arthritis they'll tell you that cold weather makes their condition more painful. Ask your vet for advice about how to deal with this.
It's also best to keep puppies, older, and sick dogs inside instead of leaving them to deal with the cold on their own. Believe it or not, I've seen a fragile older dog with an illness kept outside during winter and when I made a comment about it to the owner they weren't worried about the situation. I wasn't very impressed, but luckily it's something I don't come across very often.
If you follow these suggestions you're sure to end up with a happy outside dog and peace of mind for yourself on these cold nights.
If your dog suffers from arthritis you need to pay extra attention to how your outside dog is cared for. It will definitely need to be kept warm. If you know anyone with arthritis they'll tell you that cold weather makes their condition more painful. Ask your vet for advice about how to deal with this.
It's also best to keep puppies, older, and sick dogs inside instead of leaving them to deal with the cold on their own. Believe it or not, I've seen a fragile older dog with an illness kept outside during winter and when I made a comment about it to the owner they weren't worried about the situation. I wasn't very impressed, but luckily it's something I don't come across very often.
If you follow these suggestions you're sure to end up with a happy outside dog and peace of mind for yourself on these cold nights.