cold weather advise?

Babyblue5290

Happy Meal. Yum.
Joined
Feb 26, 2005
Messages
16,079
Likes
0
Points
0
#1
I'm moving across the state in January. I just went down there a day ago to sign my lease and get some things figured out and well......COLD! Holy crap was it cold! :yikes: There is a HUGE different between eastern and western Wa! >_<

I really shouldn't of been suprised, I knew it snowed quite a bit in the winter there, but I wasn't ready for exactly how cold it would feel with all of that wind! It was barely below freezing (I think during the day the lowest it was was right around 30-29F), and it was snowing but not accumulating for the most part. I've been in snow and cold before, but the winds are so bad there that it feels 10xcolder than it actually was! Even the snow was hitting my face like ice shards. >_<

Now, by January there will most likely be snow accumulated and it will be colder. When we went we took Talon, but Art stayed here. Talon did good, he didn't seem bothered by the cold so far, but Art has a much thinner coat, little body fat, and is easily bothered by cooler or hotter temperatures. I'd say anything below 45F he get's cold. And the one winter we had snow he refused to go poo outside unless he had absolutely 100% no choice and couldn't hold it. And even then he tried pooing in the tub/bathroom >_<

So I'm very concerned about Art and the cold. It's a small apartment so our main source of excercise will be outside as well.

Any suggestions?

Obviously we will be getting a coat (fav brands?) and we thought about booties, but last time we tried we couldn't get them to stay on! He has such skinny little legs and paws.

I'm even considering trying to fatten Art up with lots of treats (he won't eat more kibble than he needs), just for the extra warmth LOL

Anything else I should think about getting or doing?
 
Last edited:
Joined
May 19, 2012
Messages
921
Likes
0
Points
16
Location
No fixed abode.
#2
Erm, my dog isn't with me at the moment - and even if she was; she's built for temperatures up to - 70.

I'd be concerned about paws and ice melter/salt though - booties might be a good idea for walks. Cracked paws/ingested chemicals if your dog licks their paws at home isn't fun. Get something with adjustable velcro straps or maybe some disposable ones that are tighter.

A nice insulated jacket would make sense. Hurtta (sp?) and Chillydog are good options that I know of - pricier but worth it I think. There's another company that makes cheaper coats but I have to dig through my PM's to get the link back...

More body fat doesn't necessarily mean he will be warmer - but sure, go for it if you wanna try and put some weight on him.

Both of you have a safe and warm winter <3
 
Joined
Jul 17, 2010
Messages
892
Likes
0
Points
16
Location
WA State
#3
Where are you moving too?! No advice ftom me except that us Washingtinians are whoosies when it comes to cold weather :eek:
 

Sparrow

New Member
Joined
Dec 3, 2012
Messages
234
Likes
0
Points
0
Location
Alaska
#4
We get at least one cold spell of -20 to -30 every winter, usually in Jan/Feb, but we just got through one, and it's now a super balmy 20 above. Zoe loves her sweater and booties. She can even just wear my hoodies. I use plain fleece booties from the feed store. The more expensive kind never stayed on. I just strap them on pretty tight and expect to lose some if she romps in deep snow. For walks on the road, they stay on fine, but I have to remind her not to run like crazy on packed snow, because there isn't as much traction for her.
 

Red Chrome

Active Member
Joined
Oct 26, 2006
Messages
1,568
Likes
0
Points
36
#5
I live on the eastside and the wind is nasty. Makes things 2x as cold. All my dogs even the furries have good coats and horse style blankets for extra protection from the cold.
 

Snark

Mutts to you
Joined
Mar 27, 2006
Messages
4,023
Likes
0
Points
0
Location
Midwest
#6
I have a Chilly dog coat and a horse-style blanket I bought at the local feed store (it's a Weatherbeeta) for Riley. Mick and Murph are both double-coated so they don't need coats. I do like the Weatherbeeta a lot and it was cheaper than the Chilly dog coat. It hasn't been really cold here yet but when the temp does drop I plan on putting a sweater under the Weatherbeeta.

This is the Weatherbeeta we have (has an opening at the base of the collar for attaching a leash):
 

Kilter

New Member
Joined
Jul 4, 2012
Messages
536
Likes
0
Points
0
#7
Coated dogs so no real need for coats, but the old girl had a denim one that Storee might get as she gets older or if it's super cold - but then again getting a treadmill.

Booties, we don't walk where there's a lot of salt and ice, and their feet are trimmed so there isn't a lot of extra hair to collect iceballs anyway.

We do have insulated crate covers that are awesome for the van and travel in cold weather, they keep the heat in the crates and stop drafts. In the summer they keep it cooler inside, tested it out on a hiking trip with the crate in the back of the truck and it was cool inside but hot on the outside. Even in the house they'll pick the insulated crate if it's an option.
 

milos_mommy

Active Member
Joined
Oct 14, 2006
Messages
15,349
Likes
0
Points
36
#8
If you absolutely can't find booties that work (I'm sure some are made for skinny-feeted dogs and have tight velco straps, ask around), or he won't wear them, they do make a salve you can put on the pads to protect from ice and salt.
 

Doberluv

Active Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2004
Messages
22,038
Likes
2
Points
38
Location
western Wa
#9
I think a warm coat is enough. Their feet don't get frost bite and if you're worried about ice balls, you can clip their hair on their feet and between the toes a little and put something a little oily on them. I think they make something for that. I never did anything and my dogs were fine. I lived in north Idaho, about 1-1/2 hours east of Spokane Wa and it got a lot colder and more snow where I lived than it does in Spokane. As far as wind, Lyric, my Dobe wore a snood to protect his ears when it was really cold. But his ears didn't have much hair in them for protection, being cropped. The Chihuahuas seemed fine. If it was under about 17 degrees, we just didn't go for walks. lol. As long as they're moving/exercising, they're fine. I wouldn't fatten your dog up too much. The coat should be good enough if it's a decent coat.

I'm now in western Washington and the difference in temperature seems to be, on average about 10 degrees with those exeptions when it does a big plunge over on the east side.

Where I lived...in Priest Lake, Id there wasn't generally the wind you get in eastern and central Washington....all that flat farm land...it can really get going. And it seems to be windy most of the time.

Well, good luck with your move. It will be an adjustment. You'll have to get use to driving in it, remembering to keep your car stocked with emergency stuff in case you get stuck somewhere...blankets, extra warm stuff, food etc. But it will be an adventure!:)
 

Snark

Mutts to you
Joined
Mar 27, 2006
Messages
4,023
Likes
0
Points
0
Location
Midwest
#10
If you absolutely can't find booties that work (I'm sure some are made for skinny-feeted dogs and have tight velco straps, ask around), or he won't wear them, they do make a salve you can put on the pads to protect from ice and salt.
I have salve like that for Riley when we go scootering - it's called Musher's Secret.
 

Kilter

New Member
Joined
Jul 4, 2012
Messages
536
Likes
0
Points
0
#11
Yes, stock the cars. Have warm clothing, an extra sleeping bag, snacks and water just in case. A small shovel and a traction mat for getting unstuck. I have to get those again but the ones we had were metal and unrolled, you stuck them under the tires and drove up and over the ice. There were a few times they saved my butt as far as getting out of the ice, even for other people.

Mind you where we are now, we also have to keep a shovel in the house and stock extra meals for snowed in weather, there's been times that the only way to get around is on snowmobile or foot, because the drifts get so big that they stop anything including big 4 by 4s. Last year some guys rode their snowmobiles through town and damaged quite a few minivan roofs not realizing they were under the snow. LOL
 

Kilter

New Member
Joined
Jul 4, 2012
Messages
536
Likes
0
Points
0
#13
Carseland, AB. About 30-45 minutes from Calgary, so we still go into the city and are close for dog shows and such. But, there's about 200 houses or less I think in 'town' here and prairie forever so it's like a big snow fence, when there's any sort of blizzard we get some huge drifts and everyone stays home for a few days till roads are cleared to get to the highway. Last time I think the highway itself was fine the next day but nobody could drive TO it go go far.

But the school is awesome for the kids, we have a much bigger yard than we'd have in the city and back onto a playground which means I can open the garage, set up agility and train. We moved from a smaller house with more or less zero yard space and no off leash areas within walking distance, and the dog run was 4 feet by 40 feet give or take, now their run is 16 by 35 and we still have yard and a double garage.
 

BostonBanker

Active Member
Joined
Jun 2, 2006
Messages
8,854
Likes
1
Points
36
Location
Vermont
#14
I do two layers on my guys when it is really cold and we are going to be outside a bit. A Fido Fleece on the bottom layer for warmth, with a water resistant horse style blanket like Snark posted over it. Meg, who hates the cold, does fine hanging around the barn in that for even a few hours.

I've never done anything on their feet; if they are on salted roads or sidewalks for a long time, I'll just wipe their feet off with a damp paper towel when we get home. Otherwise, I feel like booties just annoy them more than anything.
 

Doberluv

Active Member
Joined
Dec 31, 2004
Messages
22,038
Likes
2
Points
38
Location
western Wa
#15
I never worried about the salted roads either. When we got home, they'd wind up walking through snow in my yard and it probably all got wiped off anyhow...never any problem.
 

Babyblue5290

Happy Meal. Yum.
Joined
Feb 26, 2005
Messages
16,079
Likes
0
Points
0
#16
I live on the eastside and the wind is nasty. Makes things 2x as cold. All my dogs even the furries have good coats and horse style blankets for extra protection from the cold.
That's for sure, it really wasn't too cold by itself but that wind was a pain!

Just the two coats does the trick? Art is such a woosie when it comes to cold, but I might be over-worrying :eek:

I have a Chilly dog coat and a horse-style blanket I bought at the local feed store (it's a Weatherbeeta) for Riley. Mick and Murph are both double-coated so they don't need coats. I do like the Weatherbeeta a lot and it was cheaper than the Chilly dog coat. It hasn't been really cold here yet but when the temp does drop I plan on putting a sweater under the Weatherbeeta.

This is the Weatherbeeta we have (has an opening at the base of the collar for attaching a leash):
Awesome, they don't look too costly at all! ^_^

If you absolutely can't find booties that work (I'm sure some are made for skinny-feeted dogs and have tight velco straps, ask around), or he won't wear them, they do make a salve you can put on the pads to protect from ice and salt.
I tried some booties on him before they had fleece inside, tight sock like part on the top and velcro and they still would drop off. Any suggestions on booties?

Is the salve like a gel you put on the paw pads?

I think a warm coat is enough. Their feet don't get frost bite and if you're worried about ice balls, you can clip their hair on their feet and between the toes a little and put something a little oily on them. I think they make something for that. I never did anything and my dogs were fine. I lived in north Idaho, about 1-1/2 hours east of Spokane Wa and it got a lot colder and more snow where I lived than it does in Spokane. As far as wind, Lyric, my Dobe wore a snood to protect his ears when it was really cold. But his ears didn't have much hair in them for protection, being cropped. The Chihuahuas seemed fine. If it was under about 17 degrees, we just didn't go for walks. lol. As long as they're moving/exercising, they're fine. I wouldn't fatten your dog up too much. The coat should be good enough if it's a decent coat.

I'm now in western Washington and the difference in temperature seems to be, on average about 10 degrees with those exeptions when it does a big plunge over on the east side.

Where I lived...in Priest Lake, Id there wasn't generally the wind you get in eastern and central Washington....all that flat farm land...it can really get going. And it seems to be windy most of the time.

Well, good luck with your move. It will be an adjustment. You'll have to get use to driving in it, remembering to keep your car stocked with emergency stuff in case you get stuck somewhere...blankets, extra warm stuff, food etc. But it will be an adventure!:)
lol The fatten him up part was kinda a joke lol He has super short hair on his feet, no need for cutting it. :)

Yeah, I'm going to be doing as little driving as possible, my school is only 2 blocks away so I'm just going to be walking to school. Most things I need are in walking distance, only time I'll drive is 2x a week for work and possibly for dog classes if I end up doing those.

Yeah, I'm such a panzy! I've gotten way too use to our pretty stagnant weather. Like you said, there's only a 10degree adjustment really lol This is going to be a bit of a change for me, I've lived here over 10 years!

Thanks!

Yes, stock the cars. Have warm clothing, an extra sleeping bag, snacks and water just in case. A small shovel and a traction mat for getting unstuck. I have to get those again but the ones we had were metal and unrolled, you stuck them under the tires and drove up and over the ice. There were a few times they saved my butt as far as getting out of the ice, even for other people.


Mind you where we are now, we also have to keep a shovel in the house and stock extra meals for snowed in weather, there's been times that the only way to get around is on snowmobile or foot, because the drifts get so big that they stop anything including big 4 by 4s. Last year some guys rode their snowmobiles through town and damaged quite a few minivan roofs not realizing they were under the snow. LOL
wow! That's nuts, I doubt we will get that much snow lol

Thanks for the advice, I didn't even think about me and things for my car! lol

I do two layers on my guys when it is really cold and we are going to be outside a bit. A Fido Fleece on the bottom layer for warmth, with a water resistant horse style blanket like Snark posted over it. Meg, who hates the cold, does fine hanging around the barn in that for even a few hours.

I've never done anything on their feet; if they are on salted roads or sidewalks for a long time, I'll just wipe their feet off with a damp paper towel when we get home. Otherwise, I feel like booties just annoy them more than anything.
That reminds me, I need to stop by mudbay and get a fleece for both.
 

Members online

Top