How to Make Sure Your Cat or Dog is Healthy and Happy All Winter Long

Whether you have a dog that loves to romp and roll in the snow, or an indoor cat, winter can wreak havoc on your fur baby’s nose, skin, and coat. Northwest Naturals is your go-to source for the nutritional needs for your pet. In this post, we’ll take a look at healthy ways to care for your pet during the colder months.

The winter cold and wind can be biting but running the furnace indoors can also dry out sensitive skin like your pet’s nose. And then there are the hazards like rock salt. In this post we’ll talk through a few different ways you can make sure that your pet is healthy and warm this winter.

Nutrition:

Good health always starts with balanced and wholesome nutrition. A well-balanced diet is key to preventing or solving just about any problem that your dog or cat could face. A raw diet from Northwest Naturals offers your pet everything they need to maintain a healthy weight, healthy skin and fur, strong nails, etc.

In the winter months, it can be beneficial to look at introducing supplements for their skin and fur coat. Fish oil is highly nutritious and is a powerful way to boost the moisture and shine in your dog or cat’s fur coat, while also reducing dander.

Salves and Conditioners:

From the tips of their nose right down to their toes, your dog and cat’s skin can suffer due to the falling temperatures. Whether they spend a lot of time outdoors or not, sensitive skin can dry and crack. Noses and the pads of their paws are especially susceptible to becoming dry and cracked during the winter.

There are a range of natural salves and conditioners that can help soothe this sore skin. You can find them just about anywhere – from your veterinarian, your local pet supply shop, and directly from the internet. Or, you can make your own. Coconut oil is especially helpful for cats and dogs, boosting the hydration in their skin. It can also be easily mixed with other beneficial ingredients.

To make your own salve, melt coconut oil and mix in a few drops of your favorite dog safe essential oil and pour the mixture into a container for storage. Geranium is great for clearing up fungal infections. Ginger is great for soothing sprains and strains. Helichrysum heals wounds and soothes sores. Lavender soothes itches, stimulates healing, and is also relaxing.

Coats, Sweaters and Booties:

Another way to help either sooth existing conditions or to stave off the effects of winter, is to dress your pets for the weather. Coats and sweaters are great for keeping skin from drying out and protecting your pet’s fur coat. Booties help protect paws and pads both from the cold, but also from drying out. If your pet’s paws are already dry, they’re a great way to help speed and aid healing.

Dangers to Avoid:

A big danger to watch out for during the winter is rock salt. If your pet walks outside, anywhere other than your property, they might encounter rock salt. The small pellets or pieces can get be abrasive at best, and at worst they can get stuck between their pads. If this happens and it goes unnoticed, it can cause chemical burns.

Another potential danger for your pet is overexposure. Sometimes our pets have fun outside playing in the colder weather and even the snow. We can forget that the cold affects them as much as it does us with their warm fur coats. Prolonged exposure to cold weather can sap moisture from sensitive skin, cause respiratory issues, and more. Be sure to monitor the amount of time your pet stays out of doors this winter.