Winter travel presents a lot of opportunities to have fun with your pup during the snowiest season of the year. However, it can also present a lot of challenges, especially if you and your dog aren’t used to chilly weather.
For one thing, if you don’t make the proper cold weather preparations, your pet might experience some serious health problems. Indeed, prolonged exposure to cold climates can cause your fur baby’s body temperature to fall to significantly dangerous levels. If your pup isn’t getting sufficient warmth via external means, they could develop harmful conditions such as hypothermia, muscle stiffness, and frostbite.
Additionally, traveling during winter can also be quite stressful for your pet, especially if they aren’t used to being in transit for long periods. If certain aspects of the journey aren’t to their liking—whether it’s the cold weather, the sensation of being in a moving vehicle, or being in unfamiliar environments—your pup may feel anxious during most of the trip. This, in turn, could cause them to associate winter travel with negative experiences and emotions.
So, if you plan to bring your pup with you on your winter travels, you have to make sure that they stay safe and comfy during your entire trip. Here’s how:
Provide Your Pup with Cold-Weather Protection
Whether your pup is of a breed that does well in the cold or not, providing your dog with ample protection from the cold is crucial to keeping them safe and healthy. Aside from causing your fur baby’s body temperature to drop significantly, exposure to snow and ice can also physically harm your fur baby. Given this, you have to get pet clothing and accessories that are specifically made to shield your pup from winter’s wrath.
Blankets, puppy socks, coats, sweaters, and other kinds of custom dog apparel designed for winter make excellent first lines of defense for your pup on the go. These wearable accessories are crafted from thick and durable materials, so they can provide warmth to your puppy wherever the two of you go. Just make sure to get dog winter clothing and accessories that fit your pup well. If you get pet winter clothing that’s too tight for your dog, it might constrict their movements or even cut off blood circulation in certain areas. Conversely, if it’s too loose, it won’t provide a snug fit that’s conducive to keeping your fur baby properly warm and cozy.
You should also consider getting your fur baby some dog winter boots. This type of doggy footwear protects your pup’s paws from direct exposure to ice, snow, and ice-melting salt. They also provide your pup’s paws with better traction on slippery surfaces, so snowy environments more safely and easily.
Make Sure Your Pup Is Fit for Winter Travel
Unfortunately, not all dogs take well to winter, and certain breeds may be more vulnerable to the negative health effects of cold weather. Before deciding to bring your pet on a winter trip, consider bringing your dog to the vet to find out if your pup is suited for cold-weather travel. The vet can assess the overall status of your pet’s health and advise you on whether or not a long winter trip may exacerbate any pre-existing conditions. They can also administer your pup’s missing vaccines and provide you with vitamins to help boost your fur baby’s immunity and protect them not only from cold-related illnesses, but also from common canine diseases.
If your vet thinks your pup is in good health and can handle a winter trip, you can bring your dog along with no worries. However, if your vet doesn’t give your pet the clear, it’s best to follow their advice and leave your fur baby at home with a pet sitter or at a dog hotel.
Choose a Pet-Friendly Accommodation That’s Properly Equipped for Cold Weather
It should go without saying that booking a room at a pet-friendly place of accommodation will minimize travel stress for you and your pet. This is because these types of establishments offer rooms and amenities that are designed specifically with pets and their parents in mind. So, not only will you be allowed to keep your furred best friend in your room with you, but your dog will also be allowed in the establishment’s general areas. They may even provide pet-specific areas like dog parks or dog spas where your fur baby can play all day or unwind from a long day of travel.
Additionally, make sure that you choose a pet-friendly accommodation that has everything you and your pup need to stay warm and comfortable during a winter stay. Your room’s heating systems should be in working order, and your room should come with proper insulation. Blankets and comforters should also be provided for both you and your pet, and these items should be thick enough to provide ample warmth.
That said, not all pet-friendly accommodations offer the same kinds of amenities, nor do all of them provide winter stay essentials. Given this, it’s wise to do your research ahead of time and look for in-depth reviews from previous guests. By doing so, you can find a place of lodging that suits your and your pet’s needs.
Traveling with your pup during winter can be an exciting way to build a strong relationship with your pet while exploring new places together. But if you’re not properly prepared, your fur baby might not enjoy the experience as much as you do. With these tips, however, you can ensure that your pup will stay comfy, warm, and safe so that both of you can have fun as you travel during the coldest season of the year.
