Providing proper care for a backyard dog in winter means ensuring the dog's medical, nutritional, hydration and shelter needs are met. While these needs should be met in all seasons and for all pets---whether they live inside or outside---it is especially important these needs be met for a backyard dog in winter. The dog needs to be in top form and to have the best food possible in order for his body to generate the energy needed for staying warm.
Instructions
1. Take your backyard dog to the veterinarian before winter arrives. In order to live comfortably outdoors, your dog needs to be in optimal health. This means your pet is spayed/neutered, current with vaccines, and free of intestinal and/or topical parasites.
2. Feed your dog a high-quality diet and as winter approaches, increase the amount of food you feed your backyard dog. Your dog will need more food to convert to energy in order to stay warm outdoors.
3. Provide your dog with fresh, clean drinking water in a heated water bowl. The heated water bowl will keep the water from freezing and ensure that your dog has accessible drinking water at all times. Heated water bowls can be purchased at pet stores and online.
4. Provide your backyard dog with adequate shelter. This shelter should include a windbreak and protection from the rain, snow and ice. Igloo type doghouses are among the best at providing your dog with shelter.
5. Place copious amounts of wheat straw in your dog's kennel area and doghouse during winter. Straw is one of the best bedding materials for outdoor animals, providing insulation and drying quickly should it become wet. Stool should be removed from the kennel area daily and the straw should be completely changed every couple of weeks.
6. Bring your dog inside when wind chills are below zero. Even with proper care and proper shelter, a dog can die quickly in wind chills below zero.
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