How to care for your dog in winters

Dog is a man's best friend. As winters are approaching, here's how you should take care of your most trusting friend.

1 Get it checked: Take your pet for a check-up before winter kicks in, to be doubly sure that they don’t have any medical problems that will make them more
vulnerable to the cold.

2 Warmth is the key: Keep your pet indoors as much as you can when the mercury drops. Staying warm requires extra calories. Your pet may require more food or a change in diet. Consult your vet.

3 Clothe them up: Some dogs especially short haired dogs get very cold and may require a dog jacket to keep them warm. However, this doesn’t keep them entirely warm as pets lose most of their body heat from under their feet, ears and respiratory tract. Booties and ear puffs will help keep them warm.

4 Blow dry: If your dog gets wet, then towel or blow dry them to get them dry as soon as possible or else they will catch a cold easily.

5 Treat stiffness: Be particularly gentle with elderly and arthritic pets during the winter. The cold can leave their joints extremely stiff and tender. Make sure they have a thick, soft bed in a warm room for the chilly nights.