Great Advice For Keeping Your Dogs Safe And Happy In Utah’s Freezing Temps

Utah’s Winter landscape of snow and ice can be magical but maybe not for everyone, like some dog owners. 

Just like the heat in a Southern Utah Summer, dog owners need to watch out for the cold and ice that come with the season. There are certain ways to protect your pet and allow them to have fun.  

Some dogs have big fur coats which makes going out in the snow a breeze...until the snow forms patches on the fur. Others have almost no fur and need cute little jackets even inside or they shiver.  

When it snows, you’ll want to see how your dog reacts. If they are bounding away in the fluffy snow, your dog is probably fine, Purina said. Get them used to the snow by setting small times to go out, increasing the time each outing.  

Potty time can be tricky, especially if your dog doesn’t particularly enjoy the snow.  

Purina recommends shoveling a small patch of grass to make potty time more efficient. This gives your dog a place to go right away.  

A dangerous part of Winter for dogs is the antifreeze and rock salt. Antifreeze is blue and green in color and can be really toxic for dogs. Avoid areas that look like they’ve had antifreeze put there.  

Rock salt isn’t toxic for a dog to ingest but it can hurt their paws and cause an upset stomach, Purina said.  

When your dog does come back inside or seems to be reacting badly to the cold, there are a few ways that you can warm them up. Grab a towel or blanket and rub their bodies with it. You can also use a hair dryer on them at low settings. However, don’t use it on their paws because it can burn them.  

Lastly, when you are out and about don’t forget to give your dog’s paws some protection from the cold. This can be snowshoes, or even paw protectant. To avoid cracked paws use some balm once they're done playing outside, Purina said.