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How to Keep Your Outside Dog Comfortable during the winter Months
Unfortunately, sometimes the family pet needs to be housed outside. If you live in a mild climate, the winter season might not be a huge concern for you. However, if you live in a climate that experiences harsh temperatures, your dog will benefit from you reading and following the steps below.
Step 1: Start with shelter. Your dog needs appropriate housing to keep him warm and protected from the elements. You can build your own dog house or purchase one from a pet retailer. There are many sizes and shapes available and some can even personalized to reflect your dog's personality.
Step 2: Comfortable bedding is a must. Your dog's house should include a dog bed or several blankets that he can cozy up to.
Step 3: Dress him up. Your dog might need to wear a sweater during the winter months. You can even purchase some pads to cover his paws and keep those warm too.
Step 4: Protect his plates. Your dog's food and water bowls should be kept out of the elements. Fill your dog's food bowl with a high quality food product that will keep his immune system strong.
Step 5: Remove outdoor hazards. A lot of people store their lawn mower gas, antifreeze, etc. in storage containers in their yard. Make sure these hazards are secured in a location that your dog isn't able to access. (If your dog has the shelter mentioned in Step 1, he shouldn't be nosing around your outdoor storage shed!)
Step 6: Watch out for winter weight gain. You'll need to bundle up and exercise your dog, no matter how cold you might be. If your dog does experience a weight gain this winter, you can periodically reduce his portions of food and replace it with canned green beans.
Step 7: Know when to say when. If the temperature drops below freezing, you will need to bring your dog inside the house or make other arrangements for him to get out of the cold. It's not safe for your pup to be exposed to extreme temperatures and elements.
If your pet is strictly an outdoor pet, you owe it to him to take some actions to keep him comfortable. Above all, don't allow yourself to fall into the habit of "outside, out of mind"…interact with him daily and often!
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