January 28, 2003, Bend, OR - Winter can be a great time of the year for dogs and people alike: backcountry ski trips, skijoring, snowshoeing, sledding, or simply enjoying the cold weather and snow. While most people and dogs enjoy playing in the snow, Ruff Wear has a few tips to make the good times even better.

Paws and Feet
A dog's paws are sensitive and can be harmed by adverse conditions. Sticky, wet snow can ball up in-between the dogs toes and cause irritation, cuts, and tenderness. Dogs often chew at this frozen snow, pulling out fur and in some cases chunks of their pads. Granular or frozen snow on the other hand is equivalent to course sandpaper and is extremely abrasive on pads. If you take your dog snowshoeing and cross-country skiing on groomed or hard-packed trails it is especially important to protect your dog's pads. Another hazard is razor sharp ski and snowboard edges. Dogs that venture too close to skis and snowboards often end up with severely cut paws, pads and ankles.

Boots provide excellent protection for a dog's pads, paws, and ankles. Since footwear is a new concept for most dogs, don't be surprised if your dog does a little dance the first time he/she wears boots. This is completely normal. Once you have the booties in place go out and engage in your pup's favorite activity: chasing a ball, catching a flying disk, or just running. After about 15 minutes double-check the closure on the boots and adjust. This is considered the "break in" period during which time the booties conform to the dog's paws, similar to breaking in a new pair of shoes. After the break in period you and your buddy are ready to explore. Use common sense and allow some time for your dog to become accustomed to the booties on daily walks. Just as you would never go out on a big hike with new hiking boots, start off on easy hikes and work into the big ones with your dog's new footwear.

Cold Weather & Hypothermia
On cold days, dogs can lose body heat just like people. A dog can get hypothermic when its body temperature drops below 95 degrees Fahrenheit. Hypothermia in dogs is most often caused from exposure to the elements, a lack of proper shelter or protection, or simply from a dog not being acclimated to cold weather. Inactivity can also contribute to heat loss, when dogs lose the additional body heat generated by exercise and activity. Elderly or very young animals are sometimes unable to regulate their body temperature properly. Shock can also contribute to the inability to regulate proper body temperature. Hypothermic symptoms include weak pulse, decreased heart rate, dilated pupils, shivering, blue mucous membranes, stupor, unconsciousness or coma. If frostbite is a concern there will be a discoloration of the skin (blue early on and black in later stages). Areas susceptible to frostbite are the tips of ears, the tail, and pads of the feet. Additionally, there will be a lack of pain or sensation of the affected area and the area may be extremely painful when it begins to warm up.

If your dog is cold, it will typically try to huddle with humans or other dogs. If your dog is seeking shelter or climbing into your sleeping bag, it is a good indication that your dog is cold. Make sure the dog drinks plenty of water as this will help maintain its body temperatures. Protective "clothing" such as a canine coat is a great way to reduce exposure to the elements. Booties are another excellent way to reduce exposure and heat loss. In most cases cold sets in faster when activity is reduced. This is the time to be most aware of the threat of cold.