Living in Frigid Upstate NY Requires Proper Planning!

When the girlz put on their Canada Pooch Wear...they really ARE dressed better than I am!!  Which gives me an idea...perhaps I should ask them if they could make their Winter Gear in larger sizes...perhaps with longer arms...BOL!!!

We are totally in love with the Winter Vests and the Wilderness Jacket!!  Chloe and LadyBug have never, EVER, looked more stylish than they do in these jackets!!  Whenever they are wearing them, people stop and ask ... where did you get those awesome coats??  And we tell them...CANADA POOCH!   They KNOW how to please their customers.

And we are pleased.  Every Single Time.  

Now.  Go.  Check it out for yourselves!!   PS.....they have super cute pups over there wearing trendy, stylish Canada Pooch Wear!!  You can even submit your OWN pup...or kitty!!

The Arctic Adventurer Vest stands true to its name with a versatile design that lets your pooch explore the winter terrain while protecting your pup from winter’s chill.  The vest’s sleek fit, fleece lining, extra warm core, and waterproof shell let your dog get the most out of winter. 

The Winter Wilderness Jacket is designed to keep your pooch toasty warm on the most frigid winter days with its fleecy warm lining, extra thick core, protective sleeves, and waterproof exterior shell. 

Some tips we all can use for our pets during the frigid winter months:

Keep the hair around their paw pads trimmed. Less hair will help keep paws free of ice and snow, which can quickly ball up between footpads and create uncomfortable walking conditions for pets.

Check the paw pads for small cuts or cracks. You may want to consider dog boots for dogs that react negatively to walking on ice and snow - especially dogs that react to snow removal products.  LadyBug is particularly sensitive to the ice and snow and that's the reason I tried PAWZ boots.  They work very well for her and we haven't had any incidents of three-legged walking since she has been wearing PAWZ.

Cleaning  your dog's paws after walks will help to remove salt and snow removal chemicals, which can be very toxic to pets.

Check your dog's ears, tail and feet for frostbite. Cold winter sidewalks and pathways may cause pain or contribute to frostbite. A dog that continually lifts individual legs off the ground during a winter walk may be feeling the effects of frostbite. Frostbitten skin may appear red or gray. If you suspect frostbite, wrap your dog's feet in a blanket or towels to gradually warm them and contact your veterinarian.  When the girls' come in from being outside when it is super cold, I towel them off first and then hold each paw individually in my warm hands to warm up their paw pads.  If it is particularly cold, we resort to using the hair dryer!

Providing the proper amount of food for the season is extremely important. Dogs that participate in strenuous outdoor activities might just require additional food during colder weather. On the other hand, indoor dogs that exercise LESS frequently in the winter may need LESS food.

Provide adequate fresh, unfrozen water.  We have a real problem with tear stains and I have found that giving the girls' filtered water helps with lessening the stains.  Indoor dogs may require more water to combat drier winter air.

Keep puppies and senior dogs indoors except for short periods of time. Very young puppies and kittens and senior animals are much more susceptible to the effects of the cold.

Pay particular attention to snow removal. It is NOT a good idea to pile snow near fences which can create an escape route for curious pets.

Keep their ID tags updated and securely fastened to their collars!  This is especially important during the winter as pets sometimes run away!

Do NOT suddenly expect your indoor dog to become an outdoor dog!!   Dogs require a month or MORE (as seasons change) to become accustomed to lower winter temperatures.

We are joining the Keeping Pets Warm Blog Hop hosted by Davinia and Indiana from Two Little Cavaliers