Expert safety tips for taking your dog walking in the winter

Winter scene with cross-country skiers and their dogs in the...
Winter scene with cross-country skiers and their dogs in the... / Wolfgang Kaehler/GettyImages
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Although it is still November, winter is fast approaching. And some parts of the country have already gotten snow. This means that it is time to start planning those winter dog walks.

Taking your dog for a walk in the winter can come with some challenges. Not only do you have to account for bad weather, but it may get darker earlier in the day, or your dog may hate going out in the cold and the snow. There are a lot of things to consider during the winter when it comes to those daily dog walks.

So we decided to ask the experts for some tips. We wanted to know what they suggested when it came to taking your dog for a walk in the winter safely. And with multiple experts weighing in, we think we’ve put together some great tips for pet parents.

Experts share their advice for how to safely take your dog on winter walks

Lorraine Rhoads of Dogtopia kept her advice short and sweet by sharing the following:

  • "Coats aren’t just for humans! Make sure to bundle up both of you before you head out, including paw protection for your furry family member.
  • Stick to shoveled walkways to avoid hidden ice and limit the walk time if it’s too cold."

Dr. Gabre Denton of TeachMe.To shared the following tips for pet parents:

  • "It is best to use fitted booties to protect the paws and keep them comfortable.
  • Wiping paw pads down and getting in between the pads is recommended to make sure no salt or dirt is stuck up in there.
  • Keep shorter-haired dogs warm with a sweater or coat, and avoid long walks in extreme cold.
  • Be sure to use reflective gear for visibility and steer clear of icy areas to prevent slips."

Rover's Dr. Rebecca Greenstein had three tips she swears by for winter walks:

  • "Protect delicate paws with lined boots and or paw balm.
  • Limit time outside to only a few minutes on frigidly cold days to avoid frostbite.
  • Never leave dogs unsupervised in extreme weather conditions."

All of these tips make a lot of sense. And of course, there is plenty of overlap in terms of advice from the experts. When it comes to safely walking our dogs in the winter, it is as much about common sense as it is knowing your pet.

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