- The Essential Jacket – When it comes to cold weather, your dog will benefit from a coat or jacket designed to wick away moisture and retain warmth. If you have a small breed dog, a senior pup, or short-coat breed, you’ll want to invest in a properly fitted winter jacket or snowsuit for your best friend.
- Weather resistant booties – Boots and booties protect your dog’s paws from snow and ice as well as toxic road salts and deicing chemicals (which are used liberally on the Colorado roadways). Foot protection can keep those sensitive paw pads from cracking. Your dog make feel awkward at first, but he or she will quickly get the hang of walking in them. It’s important that your dog’s booties fit him or her properly, so when in doubt ask for assistance in sizing.
- Paw and nose balm – During winter, when the air is cold yet dry, your pet can become susceptible to cracked or bleeding paw pads or a dry, cracked nose. Help protect and soothe those sensitive paws with moisturizing balm formulated for paw protection against snow, ice, and road salt. Some balms work great on noses, too.
- Glare reducing sunglasses – OK, unless your dog is older and suffering from certain eye conditions, most dogs don’t really need sunglasses. But, what the heck! They’re stylish and can help reduce some of the glare when out on large areas of snow, not to mention the extra protection they offer against damaging ultraviolet rays.
- Dog pack – Is your bold canine an adventure dog? Do you hike and backpack with your best friend? If so, a dog pack is an outdoor gear must-have. Be sure to have your dog properly fitted, though, and avoid adding more weight than your dog can safely and comfortably carry.
- Challenging indoor games – Even though our intrepid canine wants to be outdoors exploring, there are times when the weather is far too severe to safely go for those walks, runs, or hikes. To help burn off some of the energy, why not offer your dog some challenging games to keep him active and alert. If you are a DIY type, you can also make your own indoor dog activity or agility course.
Back at home, these additional products can help any dog weather the winter cold.
- Heated dog bed – Our best friends will love to cozy up on these warm dog beds – especially senior dogs with arthritis or mobility challenges, young puppies, and dogs who are recovering from an illness.
- Washable pet blankets – Snuggle time on the couch or chilling on the dog bed is made ever so much more pleasant with a cozy pet blanket. Double bonus: these easy-to-launder blankets help protect your bed linens and upholstery from dirt and excess fur.
- Sweater – Not all pets enjoy those sweet pet sweaters (OK, so very few enjoy them), but for tiny or small dog breeds or geriatric cats and dogs, they can provide additional warmth on chilly mornings.
Heated water bowl – A heated water bowl is a great idea for pooches who love to hang out in the backyard and play. Keep the heated water bowl full for easy access and a quick sip of fresh water between games of chase. Please keep in mind, it is dangerous for your pet to be kept outside during the winter. Bring pets indoors in the evening or when it is too cold for them to be outdoors for more than a few minutes.
There are so many choices when it comes to incredible winter pet products–important here in our Colorado weather. We hope you have as much fun perusing winter gear for active dogs and our house hounds as we have had. By adding a few of these winter pet items to your shopping list, you and your pet can enjoy the outdoors (or cozy indoors) all year long.