Pet winter is coming!
11/24/2023 05:12PM ● By SPONSORED BY BEVS
Winter is coming... as is popularly said these days. And while 90 percent of dogs really do love the snow, the process of people managing snow and ice in driveways and on sidewalks can be really harmful to them.
Commercial salts and ice melts, especially those that specialize in sub-zero ice thawing, contain very harmful chemicals that are not safe for pet feet, or their mouths and stomachs if ingested.
Tiny granules of salt and ice melt stick to paws and often irritate the pads of their feet—if their feet are already cracked from the dry winter air, that hurts pets even more!
Salt and ice melt that sticks to their paws is then licked off, causing mouth sores and stomach issues when digested. Gagging, coughing, vomiting, visible discomfort, and seizures (in extreme cases) are symptoms of ingestion.
SO HOW DO YOU PREVENT THIS? THERE ARE FOUR WAYS:
Cover your dog’s paws with petroleum jelly or a pet paw wax before heading outside. Not only does paw balm protect their feet, it also moisturizes them, preventing cracking and excessive winter dryness. Pet stores and Etsy sell paw wax year round.
Cover your dog’s paws with dog booties. There are many sizes and styles. Your pup can be fashionable while also staying protected
and warm.
Wipe your pet’s paws with a warm cloth after each walk. Or dip their
paws in a bowl of warm water, then dry them. This will remove any
salt or stray ice melt particles.
Don’t let your dog drink from puddles or lick snow that is near an
area where salt or ice melt could be present.
Also, only buy pet-safe ice melt, such as Paw Pal or Safe Paw brands
that are pet safe. There are many brands of pet and child-safe salt and ice melt products.
Snow maze all day
So it’s winter, and your dog wants to play in the snow too much for your liking. Here’s a clever idea: build a snow maze! Videos of pet owners’ snow mazes and their dogs having the time of their life playing in them have become a social media craze.
All you have to do is shovel out pathways in the snow and build up the walls a bit to keep your pup guessing what’s next. Connect paths, make different routes, make dead ends, make twists and turns, and hide treats or toys. Whatever you want! Maybe you want to add a tunnel? Sounds awesome.
And then, of course, take a video.
Your pup will have fun exercising their bodies and their minds. This will keep the winter blues away for both you and your pup. After all, who doesn’t want to watch a dog happily navigate a snow maze?
Surprising dog Christmas cookie food ideas
Many of us pup parents really like to go all out each holiday season and bake cookies... for our dogs. Hey, I’m guilty of this practice, at least twice a year.
I love baking, and I love seeing my pup happy so it’s a win-win. But did you know there’s a sizable list of weird food items that you could be adding to spice up these recipes and add some nutrition? Let’s try to expand our pup’s horizons past only flour and peanut butter-based recipes a bit.
Kale, blueberries, carrots, sweet potato, quinoa, chia seeds, and dried seaweed all have many beneficial vitamins, minerals, and anti-inflammatory properties for dogs. And yes, dried seaweed as in nori found in sushi rolls. Add yogurt and pumpkin puree to your pups diet for digestive health.
The amount of healthy perks that each of these foods offers, plus the added deliciousness, cannot be overstated. So the next time you’re whipping up a fun new treat, snack, or Christmas cookie recipe, feel free to switch it up a bit.
