Heart of Chelsea Animal Hospital

Happy New Year From Heart of Chelsea Animal Hospital!

Wishing you a safe and happy new year from all of us at Heart of Chelsea Animal Hospital!

How to Keep Your Dog Warm in the Winter

Keeping your dog warm and comfortable during the winter can be a challenge, especially with certain breeds, but it’s much easier to accomplish this in New York City than in other places.  After all, if nothing else, your dog won’t be forced to live outside during the winter!  Here are some New York City-appropriate tips on keeping your puppy snuggly while it snows:

Let His Coat Grow out

Dogs with naturally thick fur have the advantage during winter—so don’t take it away from them!  You and your veterinarian or pet groomer can settle on a cut for your dog that will minimize matting while maximizing the warmth potential of the dog’s coat.  Maintaining a dog’s fancy cut during the winter and trying to make up for the heat loss from the shaved areas by using sweaters is not a good idea; there’s no substitute for the dog’s actual fur, so just let it grow out a little.

Dress Him Warmly

While sweaters are not a replacement for dog fur, they are a good supplement, especially for animals with naturally short coats.  There are plenty of dog breeds that have hair that grows very close to the skin, such as Chihuahuas; these dogs can really benefit from doggie sweaters.  Be sure to keep a close eye on your puppy while you’re outside, however.  As previously mentioned, there is no replacement for a naturally thick coat, and even animals that are dressed warmly may become chilled.

Exercise Caution Outdoors

Your dog’s need for exercise will not cease just because it’s cold outside, so you’re still going to have to take him on plenty of walks or make plenty of playdates at the dog park.  Keeping your dog active while he’s outdoors in the cold will not only tire him out and get rid of all that pent-up energy, but it will also help keep his blood moving and raise his metabolism so that he stays warm.  However, please exercise caution during the winter.  It’s much less likely to happen to dogs that don’t spend most of the day outdoors, but you should still check your dog for possible signs of frostbite.  Frostbite affects the extremities first, so be sure to check your dog’s feet, ears, and tail on a routine basis during the winter months.

If you need help keeping your dog warm during the winter season, then you should consult with Heart of Chelsea Animal Hospital.  Heart of Chelsea Animal Hospital is a great pet hospital that can provide you with all kinds of tips on proper pet care.  For more information, call (917) 675-3708 today.

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Enjoying Our Recent Blog Topics? Then Check Out These Resources and Learn More!

If you’d like to learn more about how to keep your pets happy in an apartment and safe during the holiday season, then you should check out these links or call Heart of Chelsea Animal Hospital at (917) 675-3708:

• To learn more about pancreatitis, check out this extensive article from WebMD.
• Ever wonder why your cat makes those weird chattering noises at birds through the window?  This article from Purina has some answers.
• Let your dog join in on the holiday fun by making these pumpkin and peanut butter dog treats so that he has something special to eat too.
• The Association of Pet Dog Trainers has some great tips about how to keep your dog out of trouble while at the dog park.

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