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Tips for the cold season
We have put together valuable information to help keep your dog comfortably warm as winter weather sets in and and temperatures begin to drop. |
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Cold protection
Not all dogs have natural protection from the cold. How well dogs fare in colder weather depends on the breed and its characteristics.
Dog breeds without undercoats or with very fine fur are far less protected than breeds with multilayered, woolly fur that stores heat. |
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Very small breeds of dogs, that are just a short distance from the ground, are often more vulnerable to the cold, especially on wet or snow-covered terrain.
Owners have various different options to protect their dog from the cold or wet when they are outdoors with him. |
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There are a number of dog jackets or coats that can help, but some dogs find them uncomfortable and become irritated wearing them for the first time.
But there are also harnesses whose materials have excellent properties for the cold season, such as the curli Vest Harness Softshell or our new Vest Harness Merino. |
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Clear indications that the dog is cold: - Dog is shaking or shivering
- Dog tense or anxious
- Dog is lifting its paws off the ground
- Dog "refuses" to go outside
As a dog owner, you know your dog best and should keep an eye on him for these or similar signs and, if necessary, seek out the warmth early on.
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Paw care
During winter, road salt is used in many places. This can have painful consequences for sensitive dog paws.
As a precaution, we recommend rubbing the pads of the paws with a greasy cream, be it petroleum jelly, moisturizing cream or a specially developed "paw cream".
These creams make the paws more supple and protect against painful cracks. |
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This also largely prevents road salt or lumps of ice from getting stuck on the dog's paws.
This can also be counteracted by making sure that the dog's coat is not too long between the pads and that it is shortened if necessary.
Also try trimming your dog‘s nails. Long toenails force the pads to splay open, making snow and ice more likely to accumulate between them. Plus, he’ll enjoy better traction on snow and ice with shorter nails
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Eating snow
Dogs sometimes eat snow, which is usually not a problem with smaller amounts and clean snow.
Dog owners should make sure that the "snow-food-enjoyment" of their four-legged friends is limited.
Contaminated snow can lead to gastrointestinal infections. |
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Swallowing unmelted snow can give dogs an inflammation of the stomach lining, as dogs' stomachs are very sensitive to the cold.
For example, if the dog loves to catch snowballs with its mouth, dog owners should pay particular attention to ensuring that the dog swallows as little snow as possible.
The larynx can experience a shock from the sudden exposure to cold, which can lead to breathing problems or even respiratory paralysis.
We know that the larynx of dogs is very sensitive, which is one reason why we always recommend the use of harnesses to walk and restrain dogs and consciously refrain from using and producing collars. |
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We wish you a good start into the cold season.
Your curli team |
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