Winter comes with plenty of challenges: a significant drop in temperature, the need to run heating throughout the day and deal with your electricity bills, and, of course, the need to layer up and keep yourself warm. But just like humans need to take certain precautions, dogs need to be taken care of when the weather becomes harsh. At this point, you’re probably wondering how to keep dogs warm outside.
Whether you’re taking your dog out on a snowy hike or simply need to make its outdoor kennel warm and comfortable for it to sleep in at night, there are several ways in which you can ensure your four-legged friend is taken care of. You’ll have to consider that while some methods involve using natural materials to add a sense of warmth, sometimes you also need solutions that run on electricity. This is where a portable power station can come in handy. A Jackery Portable Power Station is a reliable option in this situation as it can help charge heaters, electric blankets, and hot water bottles.
Key Takeaways
- Winters can be harsh, and you must ensure that you protect your dog from the dangers of a drop in temperatures.
- You can keep them safe by keeping them indoors, layering them up with a sweater, and giving them nutritious meals, among other things.
- Just like humans have a limit to which they can tolerate the cold, so too do dogs.
- A Jackery Portable Power Station is great for running gadgets like a heated water bowl or an electric blanket to keep your dog warm outdoors.
How Cold is Too Cold for Dogs?
Like human beings, various factors can influence how cold is too cold for a dog. Some of these include the thickness of their coat, breed, nutritional status, and physical conditioning. The dog’s breed, in particular, plays a key role in such situations. For example, northern breeds such as Siberian or Alaskan Huskies, Newfoundlands, and Saint Bernards have adapted to dealing well with cold temperatures thanks to their thick undercoat.
As a general rule, if the weather in your area is too cold for you, it’s too cold for your pet as well. According to the World Health Organization, your house should be at a minimum temperature of 18°C or 64.4°F during the winter. With this in mind, you could consider 18°C or 64.4°F the right temperature to bring your pet inside.
So, if you’ve left your dog out in the yard, it’s always a good idea to bring them indoors so they can also benefit from the heating. What makes this especially crucial right at the onset of winter is that it can take at least a week or two for your dog to get acclimated to the drop in temperatures.
Dos for Keeping Outdoor Dogs Warm
Even if you have an outdoor breed like a Siberian Husky or a Newfoundland, it still becomes crucial that you keep them warm. Here are a few tips that can help you do so:
Bring Pets Indoors
The first and simplest way to keep your pet dog safe from the biting cold is to bring it indoors. Keep in mind that you may encounter some situations in which your pet seems comfortable staying outdoors, so the key is to identify any signs of discomfort they may be feeling when kept outside the house before you make a decision. Indoors, you can use a solar-powered heater to keep them warm.
Wipe Your Dog’s Paws Dry
Wiping your dog’s paws as soon as you bring them indoors is crucial to their wellness, as ice-melting chemicals and rock salt can make your pet sick. Given the already low temperatures in your area, this can lead to complications. Wet and cold paw pads can also increase the risk of frostbite and hypothermia, so it's crucial that you wipe them dry and keep them warm.
Wipe Off Any Antifreeze
While antifreeze can help reduce the freezing point of water, it can prove poisonous for pets and children alike, particularly given its sweet taste. If you accidentally spill any antifreeze, you should wipe it off immediately and keep it out of reach of your pet like you would any other chemical. A safer alternative to traditional antifreeze is those made with propylene glycol, which is far less toxic to pets.
Get Rid of Common Poisons
Like antifreeze, several other common poisons can harm pets, with rock salt being a common example. Your pet is likely to lick its paws after a walk, and the de-icing salt can harm them. This is why it’s crucial that you wipe their paws after you take them out so they don’t lick these harmful substances.
Build Them an Outdoor Shelter
Some breeds enjoy being outdoors even in the winter, and one of the best ways to let them enjoy being in their natural habitat while remaining safe is to build an outdoor shelter. Wood is a brilliant insulator with which you can form the outer shell of the kennel. You can also add an electric blanket if you can extend an electrical connection to the kennel. However, ensure that the wiring is concealed so your dog doesn’t end up chewing on it.
You can use a Jackery Solar Generator to run the electric blanket and any other winter-specific home appliances. Keep in mind, though, that the shelter must also be dry and protect your dog from the wind.
Layer Them Up
Just like layering up is one of the best ways to keep ourselves warm during the winter, the same principle also applies to pets. This becomes particularly important if you have a dog without an undercoat or with short hair. A warm sweater or a coat can be a good idea to help keep them warm.
Train Them to Wear Dog Boots
Taking a walkout in icy or snowy conditions can undoubtedly make your dog’s pads cold, which, as mentioned above, increases the risk of frostbite or hypothermia. Thus, it’s a good idea to get your dog accustomed to wearing boots, as this will keep their paws warm and prevent any contact with ice-melting substances like antifreeze and rock salt.
Feed Them Nutritious Food
Making sure your dog eats good, balanced meals can give it enough energy to stay warm during the winter. While it’s good to keep them warm with external heating elements, their health is also crucial to their well-being.
Buy Them a Cozy Dog Bed
A warm and cozy dog bed might seem like a luxurious purchase, but it can really help your dog stay comfortable in winter. It can help your dog warm up after walks in the snow or ice or just stay cozy at home. However, make sure you pick a bed made from high-quality natural materials that won't cause allergies or other issues for your dog's skin.
Keep Them Hydrated
Just like it’s important to ensure your dog gets all the nutrients it needs from food, it’s also important to keep it hydrated. However, water can freeze or get too cold in winter, so getting a solar-powered heated water bowl can be a good idea to ensure your dog remains hydrated throughout the day.
Don’ts for Keeping Outdoor Dogs Warm
Just like there’s stuff you should do to keep your dog warm in winter, there are also certain things you should avoid. These are mentioned below.
Avoid Shaving Your Pets
If you’re thinking of shaving your pet in winter, it is better not to. Shaving removes their undercoat, which is crucial to your dog's ability to keep warm in colder weather conditions.
Do Not Leave Your Dog in a Car
In the same way that cars can overheat in the summer, they can get very cold in the winter. Leaving your dog inside your car, even for a short time, can prove to be dangerous, particularly since your car acts like a freezer in such cold conditions.
Do Not Leave Your Dog Outdoors
As a pet owner, it’s important to always know where your dog is at all times, especially in the winter. If they stay outside the house for too long in the winter while you’re unaware, it could lead to frostbite and hypothermia, which can be life-threatening if not addressed on time.
Outdoor Power Supply in Winter
Winter can be unpredictable, with chillingly low temperatures, cold winds, and lots of ice on the roads. These conditions can sometimes even lead to power outages in many areas, so it becomes imperative that you have a reliable backup power supply to keep most of your essential appliances running.
The Jackery Portable Power Stations are a reliable option you can consider to ensure that you can run most critical appliances, including those such as an electric blanket or a heated water bowl for your dog.
Jackery Explorer 600 Plus Portable Power Station: For Keeping Outdoor Dogs Warm for Hours
The Jackery Explorer 600 Plus Portable Power Station is a medium-capacity option that has been rated to run your appliances over the course of a two-day camping trip. In winter, however, it can prove to be critical to ensure that you can run any appliances you need to ensure your pet’s safety and comfort. It comes with a handle that makes it easy to carry.
Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station: For a Large Dog Shelter and Outdoor Activities
The Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station is a great choice if you want a portable power station that can be expanded and adjusted to your home’s needs during winter. It can power pet shelters and run your home appliances if there’s a power outage due to extreme weather. It features super-fast solar charging and long-lasting batteries that can last up to 10 years, so you do not have to worry about its reliability in the long term.
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Product |
Appliances Running Time |
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Jackery Explorer 600 Plus Portable Power Station |
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Jackery Explorer 2000 Plus Portable Power Station |
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FAQs for Keeping Dogs Warm
What is the best thing to keep a dog warm outside?
An insulated dog house that protects your pet from the cold wind and is raised a few inches off the ground is a brilliant solution to keep your dogs warm in the winter. You should also ensure that the doghouse has dry bedding or an electric blanket to keep it warm.
How do you make an outdoor dog warm shelter?
The best way to make a warm shelter for your outdoor dog is to make them a doghouse and properly insulate its walls, roof, and floor. You can also elevate it off the ground to prevent any heat loss into the ground.
What can I put in my outside dog house for warmth?
Adding a layer of straw to the doghouse's floor and topping it with warm bedding can be a great way to keep your dog warm without electricity.
Conclusion
Winter is a difficult time for most, with severe drops in temperatures, yards getting snowed in, and the potential for high winds and power outages adding to the challenges. But, while it’s easy for us to care for ourselves, it’s also important that you keep your dog or any other pets safe from the cold. This requires you to understand their signs to ensure you can do what you must to protect them well.
This guide has listed a few key tips on how to keep dogs warm outside so you know how to care for them during the harsh winter months. A Jackery Portable Power Station is a great way to ensure you have the power supply needed to run appliances like an electric blanket for your dog or even a heated water bowl.
Have you ever faced a cold winter during which you’ve had to keep your pet warm? What precautions did you take to ensure their well-being? Share your experience with us in the comments below!
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