How to keep your pets toasty this winter!
Winter is coming. No, we’re not quoting Game of Thrones; We are stating a fact. It’s that time of the year again when the air turns crisp, leaves flutter down, and every dog and cat turns into a shivering, fur-covered popsicle. Yes, folks, we’re talking about pets getting cold in winter. Cue the dramatic music!
Now, you might be thinking, "But pets have fur, they’re like, built for this stuff!" Oh, how naive you are. Here’s a breakdown of what happens when our beloved pooches face the icy grip of winter.
The Great Outdoor Expedition
Imagine you're a dog. It’s a brisk 18 degrees outside, and your human decides it's the perfect time for a walk. You're practically pulling a Sir Edmund Hillary, gearing up for an Everest climb. The door opens, and BAM! A gust of arctic wind hits you like a ton of frozen kibble. You give your human that look—the one that says, "You expect me to pee in THIS?" But alas, nature calls, and out you go, tiptoeing through the tundra like a ballerina on hot coals.
The Sweater Fiasco
Some pets are lucky (or unlucky, depending on their sense of fashion) to have humans who insist on dressing them up for the cold. Enter the pet sweater. The struggle to get into one is real. It’s a wrestling match between man and beast, with the sweater caught in the middle. Finally, victory is achieved, and your pet is now a chunky, knitted sausage. They stand there, frozen, not from the cold but from sheer humiliation. “Do I look like I have no dignity left?” their eyes ask. Yes, Fido, yes you do.
Boots: The Ultimate Betrayal
If sweaters are bad, boots are the ultimate betrayal. You thought nothing could be worse, and then your human busts out these tiny, rubber monstrosities. Dogs are natural runners, diggers, and swimmers. Boots make them look like clumsy newborn deer. They lift each paw dramatically, trying to shake off the offending footwear. By the time all four boots are on, the dog has aged a year, and you’ve pulled a muscle from laughing so hard. "I didn’t sign up for this," your dog mentally notes, planning future acts of revenge.
The Indoor Hover
Once back inside, your dog becomes a master of the hover. They hover by the fireplace, hover under blankets, hover anywhere remotely warm. You find them curled up in the strangest places: under your covers, in the laundry basket, practically trying to merge with the heating vent. The quest for warmth becomes an epic saga, and they become a furry heat-seeking missile.
So why are we talking about this? Because just like us, our furry friends get a bit stiff and sore during the colder months too, and may need to have a chiropractic adjustment to keep all joints and muscles moving well and feeling much better. This is specially the case for all pets suffering from arthritic pain. Book an appointment via our online booking system.
Tips for Keeping Your Pet Toasty
So, what can you do to help your cold-averse canine? Here are a few tips:
Invest in Quality Gear: Get a good dog coat and boots that fit well. It might take some training, but your dog will thank you.
Shorten Walks: When it's freezing out, keep walks short and sweet. Let them do their business and hustle back inside.
Warm Beds: Make sure their bed is in a warm spot, away from drafts. Heated dog beds are a thing, and they’re amazing.
Indoor Play: Keep them active indoors with games and toys to burn off energy without the frostbite risk.
Winter can be ruff for our furry friends, but with a little care and a lot of laughter, we can keep them warm and happy. Just remember, when your dog looks at you with those “why are you doing this to me?” eyes, it’s all part of the seasonal fun. Now, go forth and make your pup the cutest, coziest winter warrior out there!