Tips to protect your Rottweiler from Cold Weather

          Caring about your Rottweiler in the winter          

1. Check with your vet. Senior dogs, dogs with arthritis and puppies can be very sensitive to the cold weather. Ask your vet when is the perfect time to walk your dog and if it is okay to walk him.
2. Know the signs of frostbite and hypothermia. The risk of these conditions is especially high when the temperature dips below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Frostbite typically affects poorly insulated body parts such as the tips of the ears and is evidenced by skin that is pale or red, swollen and painful or numb. Signs of hypothermia include slow pulse, shallow breathing,  disorientation, collapse and unconsciousness. If you think your dog has either, call your vet immediately!
3. Stick to fenced dog parks. More dogs are lost during the winter than any other season, possibly because dogs can lose your scent in snow or ice and become lost if they can’t see you.
4. Trim your dog’s paws. If your dog has furry feet, ask your groomer to “scoop” the pads — trim the hair that grows between your dog’s toes and under his feet — during the winter to prevent ice buildup between the paw pads.
5. Play fetch with toys, not sticks. Sticks — so plentiful in winter — can cause choking and severe injuries.
6. Wipe your dog off as you get home. Balls of ice can form between your dog’s toes, and antifreeze, salt and other chemicals can stick to his paws and upset his stomach — or worse — when he licks them. Thoroughly wipe down your dog’s belly, legs and feet as soon you come home — and while you’re at it, check for issues such as dry and cracked paw pads.
7. Avoid salt. Stick to dry or snow-covered areas where road salt has not been used to melt ice. Not only can it hurt your dog’s paws, many varieties contain harmful chemicals that can cause stomach upset and even death if ingested when your dog licks his paws./petfinder.com/

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