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Keeping Dogs Warm During Snowshoeing, Camping or Other Outdoor Activities

1/19/2015

12 Comments

 
Tips to Keep Dogs Warm During Pet Friendly Outdoor Activities- Miniature dachsund Wilhelm models one of his snowsuits and the snowball that stick to him.
Typist: Bethany
My road to learning about keeping dogs warm has been an interesting adventure in itself. Dog warmth wasn't something my family ever worried about since we only ever had Siberian huskies. We were always careful of the huskies physical condition in hot weather or when backpacking. My dad taught me about caring for the dogs feet in cold weather but that was all I had ever needed to know about dogs in harsh environments. My first dog as an adult, Tynan, was obviously not a husky but his fur was rugged enough to keep him safe in any weather we encountered at home or in travels through Cascadia. Then Tynan's cancer treatment made his previously luxurious, water repellent fur dry and thin. So I got him a coat and boots. Tynan loved his coat and boots. Unfortunately, among all of the wonderful things Tynan taught Wilhelm, loving to wear warm clothes was not one of them. Wilhelm hates wearing anything. However Wilhelm's fur has never been warm or water repellent. In fact it is the opposite. Yet Wilhelm has been snowshoeing and camping with me since he was a puppy. I have learned a lot about keeping my little dog warm throughout our adventures together and I have put together some adventure dog tips for staying safely warm.

Layer Upon Layer Of Warmth
Hating coats seems to be an instinct Wilhelm was born with but he was also born with a natural desire to burrow. So I never go anywhere without at least one medium sized fleece blanket to keep him warm. I wrap him in it when we settle into our tent for the night or when we return from a cold outdoor outing. A blanket is often the outer layer of other coats and sweatshirts. It depends on the weather and our outdoor activity but Wilhelm has a base layer, a windproof layer and a water resistant layer with varying leg coverage. Layering is always a great warmth system for humans or dogs because it can change as the weather or activities do. Wilhelm can choose to remove the blanket or I can take any unnecessary layers off. I don't believe I could ever travel with too many dog coats or blankets.
Tips to Keep Dogs Warm During Pet Friendly Outdoor Activities- Miniature dachshund Wilhelm wears a green coat layered over a yellow sweatshirt while visiting the chilly Black Rock Desert in Nevada in May.
The Black Rock Desert in Nevada in May is often still chillingly cold. Wilhelm wears a coat (green) layered over a sweatshirt (yellow.)
Check, Check and Check Again
No matter what adventure my dogs and I are on, I am constantly checking in on their health, especially when it is cold. I remove my gloves to feel the dogs ears and feet, making sure their blood is pumping enough to keep their extremities warm. If we are camping, I wake up several times in the night to do this same check. If necessary, I recover the dogs with blankets or add extra blankets. We never camp in temperatures extreme enough for hypothermia to occur but I know the signs and I take extreme care when we are snowshoeing. At the first sign of a shiver, we get back to shelter as quickly as possible. Wilhelm is the dog most likely to shiver and he can be carried back to warmth inside of my coat. I also carry instant heat packets in my first aid kit if I need help keeping myself or a dog warm on the way to safety.
Tips to Keep Dogs Warm During Pet Friendly Outdoor Activities- Miniature dachshund Wilhelm naps in his travel crate with on eof his favorite blankets.
Wilhelm naps in his travel crate with one of his favorite blankets.
Too Wet Often Means Too Cold
Wilhelm's fur is a sponge. So for many of the outdoor activities we do, keeping him warm also means keeping him dry. Keeping water absorbing dachshund fur dry is made more difficult by the fact that his fur also collects moist debris and snowballs. Being low to the ground has it's adorable advantages and it's wet, dirty and cold disadvantages. Dryness for Wilhelm involves a combination of the right coats and checking him for moisture. Even one layer of dog clothing getting too wet can mean the dog will quickly get too cold. Jason and I have invested in several good snowsuits for Wilhelm. These full coverage dog coats expose as little fur as possible to moisture. Wilhelm's clothing also continues to act as an insulator even when wet. However, we don't have any water proof clothing for our dogs, so we still check constantly to make sure Wilhelm's layers are staying continuing to keep him warm.
Tips to Keep Dogs Warm During Pet Friendly Outdoor Activities- Miniature dachshund Wilhelm takes a break from snowhsoeing on a sunny lap.
Wilhelm prefers warm rests be in the sun and on a lap.
Warm Dogs At The Top
There are so many spectacular views to be enjoyed from snowy peaks or chilly locales. Ever since my first snowshoe up the Glade Trail on Mount Hood with Tynan, I have enjoyed packing a picnic lunch. Yet I always remember that it is harder on dogs than humans to stop and just hang out in the snow. Even if the dogs are wearing boots and coats, they don't have as many advanced fabric layers of clothing as I do. When possible, we stop in the sun. If stopping for more than a few minutes, like for a picnic, I always offer the dogs a non-snowy option for rest. This dog rest is usually a blanket but can also be a warm rock or bare ground. Human or canine, as soon as our bodies stop moving and our hearts stop pumping, the cold affects our bodies much more quickly. I continue to check the dogs physical condition and we get moving again as quickly as needed.
All my life I have experienced spectacular, cold weather adventures with my dogs. All outdoor sports have their risks but I wouldn't trade a moment of any of the fun we have had for the safety of couch time by the fire. In fact, the couch time by the fire after our cold weather wanderings are made better by the exercise, bonding and excitement of our adventures together.
How do you keep your dog(s) warm while enjoying the outdoors together in cold weather?
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This post is a part of the Keeping Pets Warm event hosted by Davina and Indiana from Two Little Cavaliers. We will be sharing other Keeping Pets Warm posts, tips, advice and more on all of our social media channels so be sure you are following us on Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, Google+, and Instagram.
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12 Comments
Ann STaub link
1/18/2015 04:35:02 pm

Now that is a subject I do not have much (or any) experience with! Great tips you have here though... I am glad it doesn't get that cold where we live :)

Reply
Bethany
1/18/2015 04:43:10 pm

Thank you Ann. It doesn't THAT cold where we live either. There are a lot of places in the country it is just not safe to do any outdoor activities, whether you're a human or a dog. We are very lucky in Cascadia that with some bundling and brains we can have a lot a pet friendly fun outside all year round!

Reply
bichonpawz link
1/18/2015 10:04:29 pm

All great tips!! Thanks so much for sharing these with us!!

Reply
Carma Poodale link
1/18/2015 10:36:24 pm

Being a poodle I can handle most conditions but snow was not one of them. We can play in the snow for a short time but the snow sticks to my coat like I am a snowman. When I am going to be in the snow for a extended time , Ma will put my jacket and boots on me. I got some leg warmers this year to help keep the snow from gathering on my legs but we haven't had enough snow to try them out.
This is a great post about being safe while playing outdoors in the cold temps.
Carma Poodale

Reply
Jen Gabbard link
1/18/2015 10:37:56 pm

Laika has a nice fleece lined jacket that she doesn't mind wearing at all, but when it comes to her feet it's another story. I haven't been able to get her used to her boots so we've switched to musher's wax, which is OK but we still have to cut our winter excursions short because her feet will get chapped out there. One good thing about Laika is her short hair - I don't have to worry about her getting snowballs around her feet like I did with my last dog. Wilhelm is adorable, and he looks so darn comfy.

Reply
Felissa (Two Little Cavaliers) link
1/18/2015 11:45:06 pm

What great reminders. I check the ground in the summer to make sure that it isn't too hot but I don't do paw checks in the winter. We rarely get snow to play in so it is a treat to get to do that and they run and play hard in it so not worried about that but should check their little paws even inside to make sure they are staying warm enough!

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Kathy link
1/19/2015 01:11:01 am

I marvel at your ability to take your dachshunds on so many adventures in your beautiful part of the country (I have yet to visit!). The furthest north I've been in the northwest is San Francisco :( It's much too cold here in Mass. to do those kinds of activities. P.S. I'm not a football fan... but can't resist: Go Pats!!

Reply
Laika link
1/19/2015 05:08:35 am

I think you do a great job keeping your travel componiens warm.

Reply
Dory's Backyard link
1/19/2015 05:20:39 am

What wonderful advice. We keep the dogs in sweaters almost year round here in NorCal...Thanks for the great tips if we ever delve NorthEast for some hiking!

and Congrats on the Seahawks win yesterday, pawesome game!!

Reply
Lauren Miller link
1/19/2015 05:51:48 am

Great post!! It makes me so sad when I see little dogs outside in freezing temperatures and they are naked and shivering! My neighbors do that all the time!

If it's below 50, my girls do not go outside without at least one jacket on. A lot of the time I will layer them as well.

Reply
KB link
1/19/2015 12:14:01 pm

Thanks for reminding people. Our dogs tend to get well acclimated here over the winter. We do, however, insist on boots in very cold weather. And, any outing that's going to involve long stops or camping also involves fleece/wind resistant dog coats. When we camp, we also bring sleeping bags for the dogs so each dog can sleep very warmly.

I think it varies a lot from one dog to another as to what they need in cold weather. And, that also changes as a dog ages. Older dogs tend to need more help staying warm - that's one reason why always checking how warm a dog is (like you suggest) is a good idea.

Reply
Jessica link
1/22/2015 10:42:40 am

Chester and Gretel go on several snowshoeing trips with us a year. Gretel's hair is so thin that she practically has no hair. I have thick fleece coats and neck warmers to keep them snuggly. I, too, periodically stop to feel under the coats and their feet. Their body has always been toasty warm and their feet stay warm through circulation of the heated blood.

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