7 Tips for Keeping Your Dog Warm in the Winter

By Emmy E Bill  

When it's cold outside, all you want to do is go home, curl up in a warm bed and sip on hot chocolate? But what about dogs, how do they feel about the cold winter months? Some dogs live their lives primarily outdoors so they need and want to spend time outside every day. However, certain dogs are more negatively affected by the cold than others; particularly older pets or those with certain conditions like arthritis. There are plenty of ways for you to keep your dog warm this winter, follow the steps below!

1) Consider adopting a cold weather dog.
If you don't have a dog yet and you live in a cold climate, you could consider getting a dog that is bred to handle well and enjoy cold weather. Alaskan malamutes, Siberian huskies, and chow chows are great dogs for cold climate dwellers.

2) House your dog indoors.
Even though you may keep your dog outside when the weather is nice, you may not want to do this when it's cold. Housing your dog inside the house is the best way to keep him warm during the winter.

3) Pet jackets and sweaters.
It might sound silly, but there are cute garments like jackets and sweaters you can purchase to keep your pets warm; there is even waterproof clothing you can put on them for play time in the snow.

4) Invest in proper outdoor housing.
If your dog absolutely has to spend a lot of time outdoors, make sure he has proper shelter. Consider getting a doghouse with a sloped roof, insulation and possibly a heater (make sure the heater is 100% safe and meant for being run outdoors).

5) Soft bedding off the floor.
Keep your dog warm by placing soft bedding a few inches off the cold floor.

6) Make sure he's getting enough food.
Some dogs burn more calories during the winter while they're trying to stay warm. This may make him hungrier, so feed him a little more in the winter months if it seems he needs it.

7) Don't forget to give him attention.
Nothing keeps a dog warmer than a caring, playful, and attentive owner. Make sure you don't forget about your pet if you put him outside, and when the weather is really cold, let him stay inside.

Cold weather isn't always fun to deal with, especially for animals. Although they love playing in the snow, it's not as fun when they are cold. Also remember, dog's can get colds and various illnesses like humans. Keep your dog safe and healthy by keeping him warm this winter season.

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Read this, Before Traveling with your Dog !

By Jack Bulker 

Time for your vacation and you are wondering if whether or not you should include your dog on the trip? Taking a trip with your dog can be a lot of fun if you know how to do it and what to expect when you have your dog with you. If you think that your dog deserves the excitement, make sure that you are wise about what you travel in to get there. For instance traveling by plane is not always the best idea for dogs.

The reason why going by plane is not always advisable is that the airlines don't consider your pet as part of the family as you do, more times than not they consider them just another piece of cargo. Even for a very relaxed dog, the cargo bay of a plane is definitely not a very nice place for your dog. This doesn't mean flying is totally out of the question, especially if your dog is a small dog. Some airlines will allow you to bring your little guy on the plane with you if the carrier he is in will fit on the floor by your feet.

Probably the best way to travel with your beloved dog is by car. Chances are if it is your own car you are driving, your dog is already familiar with it and will love getting in and will be more than willing to go on the trip with you. If however; your dog has only traveled in the car for the vet visit, more than likely he is not going to be anxiety free on the trip. So it is best for you and your dog if start taking him on short trips that end at pleasant places before you take him on vacation with you.

When traveling with your dog, make sure the trip is planned out well in advance. You will need to schedule in a lot of rest stops, they should be planned for about every three to five hours so that your dog can relieve himself have some water, stretch his legs some and maybe even have a bite to eat. Also make sure that you have plotted out any vets that are near any area that you might be stopping at and make sure that you know when their hours of operation are.

You should have these items with you when you are traveling with your dog. The list of all the rest stops and vets, a leash, dog crate, water and bowls, treats, a couple of his favorite toys, a blanket for him to lay on, waste bags, and even your dogs medical records.

Make sure that you make a reservation at a hotel that is pet friendly, don't get there and find out later that they don't allow pets. Some hotels really treat the pets like special guests with doggie beds and pillows, dog spas and even doggie day care.
If your trip is going to be a camping trip, you will discover that this can be a perfect way to spend some real quality time with your dog while enjoying nature at the same time. But sometimes camping can be an unwise decision for some dogs if they are not well trained. You also need to make sure a head of time that the campground accepts pets, some do not.

It's important that plan for your holidays in advance for your pet and be prepared for anything. No matter where you might be emergencies can arise, even when you are out traveling with your dog. So make sure than you plan for any emergencies. This will lessen your stress and make your trip with your dog much more enjoyable.

For more Free Travel Information download Jack's Free Travel & Holiday Information Series at http://www.free-travel-info.com and join thousands of other people planning and booking their next holiday!
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