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- Keep your dog cool and hydrated.
- Don’t forget to protect against overheating, even if it’s cold outside. Since dogs exhume heat through their mouths and paws, it is necessary to occasionally remove the paws from the boots and allow them to breathe, even in cool weather. This will also give you the opportunity to check for abrasion and sore spots on the feet.
- Don’t forget dogs need extra hydration during robust activity. Be sure to pack lots of water, or, if you have a Ruff Wear Palisades Pack™, fill up the included bladders and let your dog carry their own water.
- Condition your dog.
- Remember that just like you, your dog requires conditioning prior to a long, physically demanding workout. Be aware of signs of exhaustion such as panting, red gums, vomiting, or confusion.
- Prevent hypothermia and frostbite.
- It is important to remember that dogs can get hypothermia. Winter weather protection is especially important for dogs with short, thin coats such as Boxers and Greyhounds. Shivering, stiff muscles, low pulse and respiration, cold body temperature (below 95°F), and unconsciousness are signs that your dog is suffering from hypothermia. Treat hypothermia by moving your dog to shelter and covering with blankets. Further attend to the dog by giving them warm water and sugar mix, and seek veterinary assistance immediately.
- Frostbite is indicated by scaling and leathery feel of the skin, or tissue that appears to be whitened or waxy. Attend to frostbite by warming the area gradually. Seek shelter and wrap the area with a blanket. Eventually immerse in lukewarm water until the tissues are flushed. Seek veterinarian care immediately.
- Prevent frostbite by covering susceptible areas such as the paws with Ruff Wear’s Bark‘n Boots™ and Bark‘n Boot Liners™.
- Protect your dog from winter weather.
- Layering your dog with an extra shield of protection much like you would wear can prevent hypothermia and discomfort from the cold. Ruff Wear’s Cloud Chaser™ soft-shell jacket covers the belly and front legs, keeping your canine’s core warm and raising their overall temperature, while not constricting movement. You can even layer our apparel items with our dog packs.
- Make your dog visible.
- If you are headed out with your dog during hunting season, be sure to arm your dog with visibility. The Ruff Wear Track Jacket™ is a great way to protect your dog from danger, as well as provide visibility to spot your dog in case he wanders off.
- Dogs are susceptible to high altitudes.
- Dogs with little exposure to elevation can quickly become lethargic and dehydrated. Use common sense: if you are feeling ill chances are your dog is experiencing similar effects. The best way to prevent altitude sickness is to acclimate to the elevation by spending at least one night sleeping at the trailhead.
- Drinking a lot of water throughout the trip will also reduce the effects of altitude. Take it easy and be aware of your dog's physical condition until you become confident that your pet is suffering no ill effects.
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