The veterinarian named ways to protect the dog on a walk in winter

In winter, many dog owners think that the danger to animals occurs only in severe frosts, when the temperature drops to -20 degrees. In fact, the most unfavorable period is from about 0 to -2 degrees. Mikhail Shelyakov, a veterinarian and invited expert of the Triol brand, told Izvestia about this on December 10.

"In such weather, it usually snows, rains, fog appears, and humidity rises. Because of this, the cold is felt much more strongly, and the dog's coat gets wet and loses its heat-protective properties. Wet wool conducts heat much more actively, and the animal cools down faster, so it is especially important at the beginning of winter to insulate the pet and use special clothes — raincoats or blankets," explained Shelyakov.

A separate winter danger is road reagents. Previously, veterinarians received detailed information from the city administration about which mixtures are used in different areas and what possible consequences they have, the expert said. Currently, there is no such information, so it is impossible to accurately predict the composition of the reagent. If the dog has ingested a chemical, the veterinarian is forced to act on the symptoms. First aid for suspected poisoning usually involves vomiting, taking sorbents, and removing toxins with ivs. However, without knowledge of the specific substance, an accurate antidote cannot be used. That is why it is so important to prevent the dog from coming into contact with the reagents.

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"Urban snow is not as harmless as it seems. It may contain chemicals, soot, soot, and sometimes even poison baits thrown by hooligans, so it is highly undesirable for dogs to eat snow outside. If the ball falls into the snow during the games and the pet inevitably picks it up along with the toy, it is better to move active games to a park area and away from roads, where there are fewer reagents," the specialist advised.

During active walks in the slush, the reagents get on the stomach, groin area and coat. The paws are better protected due to the pads and dense skin, but the lower abdomen is the most vulnerable area. To avoid irritation, protective clothing is needed to protect the body from dirt, snowmelt and chemicals.

In this case, the first contact with the reagents still occurs through the paws. Special boots can be used to protect them. The dog needs to be given time to get used to them: first, put them on at home for short periods so that she feels confident. You should buy shoes after the mandatory fitting — they should sit tight and not rub.

Additional protection is wax coatings. They create a hydrophobic film, reduce wetting and irritation from reagents. But they have a lower degree of protection than shoes, and you still have to wash your paws after every walk — this is a mandatory winter procedure. A dog can bring bacteria, viruses, or parasite eggs home from the street, so hygiene is important for both the animal and its owners. Paws should be washed with warm water and wiped thoroughly.

"And, of course, in winter it is especially important to monitor the behavior of the dog on the street. Don't let her eat snow, pick up "delicious-smelling" leftovers, lick ice, or dig snowdrifts with her muzzle. This helps to avoid poisoning, infections and other troubles," Shelyakov concluded.

On December 3, Vladimir Golubev, President of the Russian Cynological Federation, said that winter shoes for dogs are not just a fun element of the wardrobe, but the most reliable protection from snow and reagents. However, not all dogs like this accessory. It is also worth trying to consider the option of shoes with suspenders so that they do not fall off. The easiest alternative is to use protective wax before walking. This option is suitable for everyone, the expert says.

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