Dogs and winter

Dogs generally like winter, when they are playing in the snow with their owners and going for long walks. But like people, many dogs do not stand cold and moist very well, especially if they are exposed to such conditions for a longer time. Some breeds which have long and thick hair better tolerate severe cold and winter conditions, in the contrary, breeds with short hair are much more exposed to cold and do not tolerate low winter temperatures well.  Dogs do get cold despite being capable of adapting to different weather conditions.

If your dog lives outside in a dog house or a kennel and you live in a place where seasons are changing and winters are cold, you have to provide your dog with a good shelter which will protect him against severe cold, wind, rain and moisture. A dog house has to be two-spaced and properly insulated, placed in an area protected from direct snow, rain, wind and cold. A dog house has to be lifted from ground in order to prevent moisture to come in the dog house. In order to prevent cold, wind and rain entering into the dog house you should fix a curtain made of blanket or any similar material on the dog house door opening. Put a warm blanket into the dog house. During the cold seasons feed your dog with warm and more caloric meals and change the water in his bowl more frequently. If the temperature goes below zero, than you should place your dog to a warmer place where temperature is not so low. And remember, you have to clean your dog’s living place every day. Dogs are clean animals but people are often the one who do not enable them to behave so.

If your dog lives with you in the house – an indoor living dog, than he is less exposed to changing seasons.

Dogs and summer

Each dog owner should protect his dog from negative effects of heat. During hot season you should follow the guidelines below:

• Do not leave your dog in a closed car placed on the sun! Your dog can easily die from heat stroke in a few minutes, as temperature in a car placed or parked in the sunny area can easily rise up to more than 60 – 70 degree Celsius.
• You have to enable your dog to go to the shadow area at any times and you must not leave your dog exposed to direct sun for a longer time.
• A dog must have a bowl of fresh water available all the time.
• Walk your dog in early morning or late evening times in order to avoid the highest daily temperatures.
• Place where your dog is situated has to be ventilated.

In hot weather dogs have more difficulty in cooling their body, as they do not have sweat glands all over their body surface. The most important way how dogs transmit heat from their body is with evaporation. Fast and shallow breading enables dogs to cool their body. But when a dog is exposed to high temperatures and summer heat this way of cooling their body becomes less effective and health of the dog can be severely affected.