MASCOTAS: DOGS WINTER TIPS

The majority of dogs are affected by cold, although some breeds are especially prepared for adverse conditions. We should not fear the cold, if we respect this basic advice:
Diet: the needs of each dog vary according to age, weight, metabolism, environment, activity, etc., but all of them coincide in that, during the winter their bodies demand more calories due to the lower temperatures.
If the cold is very intense, their walks should be often but shorter, as the longer they are outside the more possibilities they have of getting cold.
If our dog is accustomed to sleeping outside, we should not change its habits brusquely nor bring him into a house with the heating on as these changes produce a drying out of its fur and abnormal hair loss.
If on the other hand our dog is used to sleeping inside our house, we should protect it from the cold with coats that are available on the market.
Brushing: We should brush the dog regularly to get rid of dead hair, leaving a bright and healthy coat.
The most frequent diseases of this season are:
Rhinitis: a nasal cold consisting in inflammation of the nasal membranes due to cold and brusque temperature changes. We notice it because the animal sneezes and excretes a watery discharge.
Laryngitis: inflammation of the mucous membranes in the larynx that causes voice change, cough, hoarseness, unwillingness to drink cold water…
Pads: cracking of the pads due to friction from rough and cold surfaces. In extreme cold we can protect their pads with socks or special protective creams.
Parasites: we have to be on the lookout for them all year. We have to de-louse them at least two times a year.