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How to Care for Short-Haired Dogs in the Winter

November 26, 2016 by Samantha Edwards 1 Comment

Not all dogs are fortunate enough to grow a thick winter coat or fur around the pads of their feet when the weather starts to get colder. Short-haired dogs are often not genetically suited to live in extremely cold climates and are, therefore, more prone to cold weather-related conditions such as frostbite or hypothermia. Our beloved pit bulls have wonderfully short, low-maintenance hair that can pose a challenge in the winter months. Read on for tips on how to protect your dog from the elements.

  1. Sweaters add an extra layer of warmth to your dog’s body, somewhat mimicking the thick winter coat that other long-haired dogs are able to grow. Sweaters are great for your dog to wear indoors or outside when it’s not raining or snowing (a wet sweater will only make them colder). Make sure the garment fits properly in the neck, chest, and shoulder areas and isn’t too tight. Also be sure that the sweater isn’t covering the dog’s elimination area so that they can still “go” freely. If you’re scoffing at the idea of dressing your dog, keep in mind that dogs are sensitive to temperature changes just as people are, and might need a little extra warmth to be short-haired dogs in the wintercomfortable.
  2. While sweaters are ideal for indoors or dry conditions outdoors, wet weather may require something a bit more heavy duty. A thick, durable, insulated winter jacket may be just what your dog needs to enjoy outside activity in the rain or snow. As with sweaters, be sure the jacket fits properly and is not covering the elimination area.
  3. Booties can help protect the pads on your dog’s feet from getting frostbite. Many long-haired breeds have evolved to grow heavy fur on their feet to protect their pads from the cold, but pit bulls (and other short-haired breeds) do not have that option. Dog booties are especially important to consider if you live in an area with snow. Some dogs don’t like wearing booties, however, so be sure to clean off their bare paws after they walk outside in the snow. Antifreeze and other snow removal chemicals on the ground can be toxic if ingested, and salt can become an irritant.
  4. Keep your dog feeling warm and secure with a heating pad or heated blanket for his/her bed. Keep the heated pad or blanket on one of the low-medium settings to avoid overheating. Heating pads aren’t generally too expensive (around $20-$40 each) but if you don’t want to buy one, give your dog extra blankets to snuggle into and keep their bed away from drafty doors or windows.
  5. Bathe your dog inside with warm water and make sure he/she is completely dry before going outside. Your dog actually may require fewer baths in the winter months, due in part to less physical activity outside, but if you do give your dog a bath, remember that it takes longer for their fur to dry in cold weather. Giving him/her a quick blow dry may do the trick!
  6. Indoor dog parks are a great option for exercise in the winter months. It will give your dog a chance to release some pent-up energy and socialize with other dogs while staying safe from the elements. If there isn’t an indoor dog park in your area, some doggy daycare centers will allow playtime sessions at their indoor facilities. Exercise is still important, even in cold weather!

Filed Under: Health Issues, Pit Bull Pets, Responsible Ownership Tagged With: exercise, health, ownership, petbull, pit bull care, short-haired dog care, short-haired dogs, winter, winter care

Dogs and Fireworks Help

June 29, 2011 by z3admin 2 Comments

Take a moment to think about all the different, seemingly imperceptible sounds your pet can hear. Not only can they hear within a larger range, the shape of their ears also helps them to pick up sounds that often escape our senses. Think then how loud a firework might be to your best friend, the same dog that can hear the shaking of a cookie jar 2 floors away or the mailman dropping off a package 20 doors down. Not surprisingly, dogs and fireworks can often be a frightful, anxious experience for your pet. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Responsible Ownership Tagged With: anxiety, health, holidays, lost dog, temperament, travel

Cooked Bones and Dogs

January 16, 2011 by z3admin 2 Comments

10 Reasons Why Cooked Bones Are Bad For Dogs:

1. Broken teeth or torn gums. While certainly not life threatening, a broken tooth or injured gum can cause a lot of pain for your dog, and may also require pricey dental work.

2. Bone may get stuck in or around your dog’s lower jaw. Because of the way your dog’s mouth is shaped, bones can become easily lodged both within and around the lower jaw. Depending on the way the bone is jammed, this may require a veterinary visit for removal and/or treatment of the injured tissue.

3. Mouth and tongue may get cut or injured. Again, not necessarily deadly, but can prove to be a very painful experience for your pet and a costly one for you if the injured area becomes infected. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Health Issues Tagged With: food, health

Skunk Smell Removal – What to do if your dog was sprayed by skunks

October 11, 2010 by z3admin 1 Comment

Help, my dog was sprayed by a skunk!

Most likely if you’re reading this post your dog has just recently been sprayed by a skunk, or there was a skunk incident in the past and you want to be prepared for the future, so let me cut to the chase. Below is a “recipe” for a skunk smell removal remedy that you can make with items around the house. All you’ll need is some hydrogen peroxide, baking soda and Dawn dish soap. Use this skunk neutralizing wash on your dog in the proportions mentioned below and let it sit on their fur for 20 minutes or so.

I used this shampoo when my dog was sprayed, and while I don’t claim it to be any type of magic potion that completely gets rid of skunk smell, it did cut down significantly on the odor and was effective in removing the oils from his skin. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Health Issues Tagged With: grooming, health, skunk smell

Dog Ate Fish Oil

July 8, 2010 by z3admin 47 Comments

I came home from a quick, two hour long trip to the store to find a 400 capsule bottle of fish oil pills spilled out onto the dog’s bed. We’ve been giving them one, 1000 mg capsule per day to help with arthritis and inflammation – turns out they like them a bit too much… Upon closer inspection, and a re-count, I estimate that my dog(s) ate between 150-175 of the Omega-3 Fish Oil pills. Both dogs seem fine (even the one I know ate them all on his own). After doing some reading and researching of my own I’ve found that there is no “remedy” for a Fish Oil overdose, either in dogs or humans, and that the best thing to do is to offer supportive therapy. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Health Issues Tagged With: health, supplements

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