January is one of the coldest months in Vancouver. As we bundle up with jackets, scarves and gloves to keep warm, pets like my Teddy Bear need winter weather protection, too! Even though Teddy may be covered in fur, dogs require more attention when it comes to spending time outdoors in the winter months. Here are some winter pet care to help ensure your pets are prepared for the cold weather.
- Winter fashion isn’t just for humans – Just like we get dressed up to stay warm in the winter, some pets do, too! Try dressing your pet in a winter sweater, jacket or booties to keep them warm on winter walks. Some shops in Vancouver which sell stylish doggy wear include Barking Babies (1188 Homer Street), Pawsh (80 Smithe Street) and Bosleys (various locations).
- Take pet paw precautions – After taking your pet for a walk in the winter, be sure to wipe their paws and underside after being outside. Salt and other chemicals used to melt snow and ice on the roads and sidewalks can irritate and burn your pet’s sensitive paws. Soaking your pet’s paws in warm water before drying them off also helps remove chunks of snow and is soothing for their pads. Alternatively you can take them to the doggy spa (like how Teddy goes to Pawsh) and get a full grooming.
- Home heating – Teddy Bear is the fluffiest dog I know and sometimes his furry tail gets stuck in the wrong places. If you plan to light a fire or plug in a space heater, keep an eye out to make sure that no tails or paws come in contact with flames, heating coils, or hot surfaces. Not only may they burn themselves, they could also knock over a heat source and put your whole home in danger.
- Don’t leave pets outside for prolonged periods of time – Even though there’s a Vancouver city bylaw against tying up your dogs outside in public areas, I have been very guilty of tying up Teddy to a pole while I run a quick errand at a store. When the temperature drops below zero, be aware that pets shouldn’t be left outdoors for prolonged periods of time – especially short-coated dogs and puppies as they are particularly vulnerable to cold temperatures. If you have a cat or short-coated dog, only take them out for short walks and consider dressing them in sweaters to keep the heat in.
- Cars in the winter are like freezers – Just like how we shouldn’t leave our dogs in the car during the summer heat, don’t leave your cat or dog unattended in the car during the cold weather months because cars are like refrigerators and freezers in the winter. Left unattended for too long in a cold car and your pet could suffer from hypothermia.
Stay warm, furry friends!
MMV Giveaway: Modern Mix Vancouver is giving away an IAMS pet gift basket (worth $300). This includes a doggy bed and blanker, dog and cat food vouchers, poop bags, a brush, a bottle of Febreeze, a box of Swiffer cloths and more! To enter, please “LIKE” the MMV Facebook Page by clicking here and ALSO leave a comment below with your pet’s name and breed. A random winner will be chosen from the comments below. Giveaway ends Sunday January 27th (11:59pm PST).
For an additional entry: Follow @ModernMixVan on Twitter and tweet “Win from @ModernMixVan an IAMS #pet gift basket. Link: http://bit.ly/Un2TYo | RT to enter!”
92 Responses
My puppy Kona is a Rotty hound cross and she is the cutest thing in the world!
Jake the bull mastif. Rescue dog with a big body and a bigger heart. This dogs best friends are my girlfriends one year old daughter and the family cat.
I have a cat called “Lucy” and so I would appreciate this gift basket.Thanks for the chance to win it.
I have a cat called “Lucy” and so I would appreciate this gift basket.Thanks for the chance to win it.
Trying to win this for my mom`s dog, Max. He`s a cocker spanial.
i don’t participate in facebook i sure hope i can still enter your giveaway we have 2 cats and 2 dogs mix breds thanks
My dogs name is jefe(boss in spanish) he is a porkie (half pomerian and half yorkie)Liked and Shared Too
Two shih tzu crosses Belle and Rio
my dogs name is daisy. she is a bichon poodle
and my cats name is rex. hes a brown tabby
My dogs name is Charlie and she is the whitest golden retriever ever!
I have 2 dogs, Ginger and Rusty. Ginger is a 4 year old Miniature Pinscher crossed with a Chihuahua and Rusty is a 4 year old Chihuahua.
So excited! My sister just rescued a 1 year old black lab/collie mix named Nikki. My sister is 18 and is going to college, plays sports, and holds down a job. but beyond this she gives Nikki all the love and affection she deserves. As her big sister I want to award her for all her hard work. She is a student and could really use this prize, it would mean the most to her. I love my sister and Nikki too Pick us!
Thanks!
My dog is a rescue from Mexico named Evie. She is very unusual looking – her DNA test says she’s a beagle/boxer/German Shepherd/dachshund/bulldog/poodle mix!
We have two dogs, a schnauzer/dachshund SPCA find named Casper and a Bichon/Poodle named Hershey. They are the best of pals (sometimes we even think perhaps lovers hehe)!
My spouse and I own 3 dogs and currently have 1 foster dog. 1) Mikko is a Maltese. 2)Primo is an American Bully. 3) Koko is a Bulldog and 4) My foster dog is Star is an American Bully. Thank you for the contest– Sara.
Her name is Kaya and she’s an Alaskan malamute
My dogs name is Stanley. He is a Shih tzu X poodle.
And I know that he would really appreciate winning the prize! 🙂
He says thanks in advance 😉
We are animal lovers, thus…
Timber, a Siberian Husky
Mila, a Jack Russel Terrier
Mimi, a Bischon Poodle
Mitzi, our cat
We have our hands full and can use that basket!
Lucy is our baby and she is a Bijon/Maltese mix.
Fred is my cats name
My girl is a Rottweiler – her name is Lexxi. Great dog!
I have 2 dogs. A Boston Terrier/Olde English Bulldog mix named Jaxon and a Rotti named Sasha.
we have a mix rescued from the SPCA called “CASH” cause he makes deposites!
I agree with all your cold weather tips vanessa! i wish people would learn to NOT leave their pets outside in the cold, they figure because they have ‘fur’ they are warm enough! To me leaving an animal outside is like leaving a 2 yr old out by itself! SO I do hope some pet people will learn from your tips and take good care of their beloved pets! i have 2 dogs ( rescued ) and also 3 cats ( also rescued ) all from the streets abandoned when young…very sad state indeed what mankind can do to these lovely animals! it saddens me but at least I try to do my bit to ‘balance’ the equation as much as i can on my modest pension income…but it feels great to see my little people be warm in my cozy home and eat whenever they want! ;))
I rescued my dog Zuko <3 Hes a year old German Shepard/ Lab. My house wouldn't be the same without him.
I have two puppies. Link and Buddy. They are both mixed breeds. I think Link is part lab and Buddy looks like a Puggle.
I have a Yorkie Cross and his name is Teak.
My dog Digger is a mixed bree- part scotty, retriever, spaniel.
My pet is a cat, 11 year old Ginger tabby and her name is Ginger.
Those are all great tips for owners and their pets. Thanks I enjoyed reading them all and always take care of my 2 dogs, 1 border collie 1 rough collie.
Thanks
I have a little shorkie and her name is Laila thanks
Dixie is our 1yr. old Blackmouth Cur. She climbs trees!
Great article and great advice. I have a yellow Lab named Roxy and 2 indoor cats known as the “terrorists” Yager and Oliver.
I have a Goddog named Snoopy who is super sweet. He is a Shitzu/Jack cross and is 6 years old 🙂
My grand dog Ira who is a lovely black pug could use some wet weather gear for our wet coast! The basket looks like an amazing assortment of things!
My large and loveable dog is Marley, a chocolate brown lab/chesapeake mix:)
My two cats (not a particular breed of feline, just regular cats) are great pets and I hope to win this really nice prize. Thank you for offering us the chance to win it.
My dogs name is Buddy and he is a shih tzu
We have a rescue dog, a pomer/poo named Sweety…and she definitely suits her name!
Jada, a blue healer, Australian Cattle Dog
I have two furbabies and they are both chihuahuas named Roxy and Bronte yay
Flint, poodle/bichon mix.
My family has a 7 month old shih-poo named Teddy!
My dog’s name is Coco, she is a shipom. She is a great dog.
A long haired cat
Gizmo! Hes havanese. Thanks for the awesome post and giveaway!
Maya is my Husky and Raven is my lab/collie!!
I have two cats, they are strays so don’t think they are pure bred. Xena is a black warrior princess who must have some Siamese and Tiger is fluffy, affectionate & gentle & might be part Maine Coon.
We have two cats, Pebbles and Conan. My husband’s parents also have two dogs, so this basket would be shared and loved by our family!
Maggie who is an adorable English Springer Spaniel! (OceanScented)
I have 2 cats, both black short hair tabbys.
My dog is a Chesapeake Bay Retriever, and my cats are a tortiseshell/tabby mix and a shaded silver persian.
Also planning on getting a German Shepherd sometime soon! 🙂
my dog just passed away, but my sisters dog tyke is a shitzu and I look after them while away, I never take him out when its really cold unless he has his coat on if I won I would save this for my new puppy one day or give it to my sister and i know she could use it am tweeting too
Abbott is a mutt! She might has some Australian Shepherd in her!
I tweeted!
I have a red nose pitpull and her name is Lexus.
`Cooper`border collie lab x
I have two dogs, one is a sweet Tibetan Terrier and her name is Nyima and the second one is Zuke who is a Heinz 57.
I have a Yorkshire Terrier named Meeka.
I have a cat, he is a mixed breed!
I have two Tuxedo cats and a Black Lab.
i have 2 mixed breed cats, buddy and kitty.
Rupert (dog): 2 year old Chihuahua-Terrier cross
Bella (cat): 8 year old Himalayan-Ragamuffin cross
My dog’s name is Marti and he is a lovable Mutt
I have two cats! One long haired tabby and one short haired Domestic! Thanks so much for this!
Oh and their names are Lilly and Chootka
frankie the french bulldog
Liked on FB Darci Paice-bailey – pet is a jack russell terrier name is Zani!
I have a dog and a cat ……… they are the best buddies I ever have. The cat is totally attacted to me and will not eat unless I feed him from the spoon, and the dog is my husbands buddy and is his shadow. I have never been happy with having Chi, my cat and Essay my husbands buddy. We love them with all our hearts and everyday is the best with them in it.
Max is a yellow lab!
We have a long haired tabby – we can really use those Swiffer cloths !
BTW – his name is Gryphon !
My dog Remi is a English Staffordshire Bull Terrier!
Scraps and she is Heinz 57! Smile
My girl is Abbey and she is a Jack Russel
I have a German Shepherd named Hunter and a Black part Angora cat named Lestat (like the vampire) and yes, we call him Batty for short!
Awesome! We have 5 cats – a mix of long and short haired!!
I have a large and very spoiled dog named lucky
I have a cat that is thirteen years old. His name is Boxer and he is a multi coloured tabby
2 cats domestic and 2 dogs yorkie and maltese
We have two cats. Nissa is a short-haired grey tabby. Keely is medium-haired black and white.
Jack, annie, cortez, london sparow,
Our dogs name is T.J. and he is Havanese
I have two furbabies Bronte and Roxy thx so much good luck all!~
2 cats…one black short haired Par & black long haired Giz
I have two beautiful Irish setters: Fana and Minky.
We have a lab, boarder collie and blue heeler mixed. Her name is Miley 🙂
I have two cats jake and tiger, simease and orange- No dog as of a few months ago very sad thanks
Tiger and Jake two cats that think they are dogs-simeaze and Calico
We have two ginger cats, Conan and Pebbles.
Catahoula mixed with lab dog 🙂
Rogue is her name and she is a German Shepherd
Great winter tips for pets, I have two dogs both are rottweilers. I love them and they are also very special family members.