Dogs And Frostbite - What You Need To Know About Winter And Your Pups

It’s a common misconception that because pups have fur, they are automatically less sensitive to the cold, harsh conditions of winter.

Sadly, this is only true for dogs of a heavy coated breed that were bred for that sort of climate. Other pups, on the other hand, can still get frostbite from being left out in the cold for a while.

Frostbite in pups manifests when extremities, such as the tail, nose, or foot pads, become too cold, which results in severe damage or even the death of those areas. Although pups have a slightly bit of insulation from their fur, they can suffer from frostbite after prolonged periods of time in the cold, which occurs because their body will be forced to only focus on sending warmth to vital organs and not the extremities.

If your pup begins to shiver severely after being in cold conditions for an extended period of time, this could be a symptom of frostbite. In addition, his skin will seem pale, but then become red and painful, or even black if the condition is very serious. Once you suspect your pup has got frostbite, you must take him to a vet immediately. In the meantime, use warm water – not hot water – to gently soak or compress the damaged areas. When it becomes warm, dry it off gently, without rubbing or massaging.

It’s important that your dog does not have to deal with overly harsh winter cold. Take your pups in during colder days and keep them safe. Don’t forget to like and share this so that other pup parents can see!