The transition from autumn to winter can be pretty drastic, especially as far as our dogs are concerned. You have to consider everything a little more carefully, from the conditions you walk them to their home comforts. Winter can get very cold and miserable, so you must do everything you can to make sure you have a happy and healthy dog throughout the chillier months.

Wrap Them Up Warm

When you get ready to go out for a dog walk, the first thing you do is grab your cosiest coat, scarf and gloves and get as warm as you can, so why wouldn’t you do the same for your four-legged friend? From rain to snow, dogs can get cold when they get wet, and it can become irritating on their skin. Investing in a good quality dog coat will help to keep your pup warm and cosy whilst enabling them to enjoy their favourite time of the day still!

There are some great coats available that are well-fitted and discreet, so your dog won’t feel like they’re dragging a duvet around with them during their daily walks. If you’re thinking of investing in a dog coat but aren’t sure what you’re looking for, Petwell has a great guide here on their blog to help you make the right choices and invest in the best possible coat for your dog!

For a Happy and Healthy Dog During Winter, Up Their Calorie Intake

One of the best ways to have a happy and healthy dog during the wintertime is to increase its calorie intake. This doesn’t mean start feeding them excess human food to fatten them up; it simply means adding a little more of their own food into their bowls to give them more energy. Throughout the winter, dogs can become a bit more stressed than usual due to the cold weather and certain festive activities such as fireworks and trick or treaters, so giving them a few extra calories will undoubtedly help keep them healthy and robust even when they’re stressed.

You may wish to add a supplement into your dog’s diet to ensure your pet gets the right nutrients from their food, not only during winter but all year round too – the Nutra Thrive for Dogs ingredients are designed to support digestive health, plus the immune system, skin health, the list goes on, so could well be one worth considering.

Create a Cosy Bed

During the colder month’s dogs require a little more comfort than they do in the summer. From needing that extra warmth to wanting some additional comfort to snuggle up into, having a cosy bed will make your dog feel much happier even when it’s freezing cold outside. There are some fantastic dog beds and blankets available within the pet world, and you can find some stylish, cute additions for your home. Now is the perfect time to invest in something a little thicker and warmer to give your dog the cosy set-up they deserve.

Maintain their Coats

A winter groom is essential for your dog to keep them happy and healthy. After a long walk in heavy rain or snow, their skin and coat can become irritable and therefore cause them distress. Take your pup to the local groomers for a light trim (nothing too excessive as they need their fur to keep warm), as this will help make it much easier to groom them after their walks. You’ll also find that they feel much lighter and don’t soak up as much of the water and mud when they have a slightly shorter coat.