Can your dog bathe in winter?
Have you ever wondered if it's a good idea for your dog to jump into the water in the middle of winter while you're shivering in your down jacket? My dog bathes in all weathers but I admit I asked myself a lot of questions when I saw him jump into the river in the middle of winter. Is my dog at risk of catching a cold? Can he be sick? Is it harmful for her rumatisms when she becomes a dog granny? …
I offer you this very complete article where James and Julie shared their winter swimming experiences with us.
You already know James and Julie with whom we co-wrote an article on Traveling by car with your dog. James is an English bulldog, star of social networks who shares his life with Julie, a totally gaga mistress!
Swimming in winter: a good idea?
Holidays with your dog are all year round, when you want. But how does it go for swimming times in winter? All dogs are not “equipped” in the same way to resist the cold or to be “waterproof”. Thus, there is a real difference between the breeds which explains why some dogs do not soak their paws if the water is below 24 degrees while others feast in all weathers and all temperatures on the slightest puddle of water. water, river, lake… like my dog!
Sophia: “I saw Musher lying in a stream on the set of theAubrac during a hike cani-racket last winter. As usual, my labrador spotted the watering hole long before me and rushed there. Temperature felt that day: about -12 degrees due to the wind. She wasn't cold running in the snow like crazy so no worries about swimming! “
Chilly dog?
Short-haired dogs will be much more chilly than long-haired dogs with a good undercoat. Lean dogs will also be more chilly because having few fat reserves, they are less able to fight against the cold. A puppy or an old dog will also be more sensitive to the cold.
Finally, the dog's lifestyle also plays a key role: a dog more accustomed to the comfort of the house will have more difficulty fighting the cold than a dog who spends a lot of time outdoors.
But if your dog is old, short-haired, rather slender and a sofa fan, that doesn't mean you should forbid him a good swim if he wants to...
Sophia: “Musher and I do water rescue. At the club, there are new lands and landseer. No cold problem for them. But I once spotted during practice that Musher was shivering because she had been inactive in the boat for too long. After training, she has a larger ration of kibble because the cold forces them to burn more calories to warm up. It's like for us, winter is the season for raclette and sauerkraut, dishes that they stick to the body so as not to be cold! “
Good reflexes after swimming
There are two things to remember to avoid cold snaps after swimming: your dog must remain active or you must be able to dry him off quickly. I always have in my backpack a microfiber towel. It doesn't take up much space and it's pretty effective!
Cold snap and consequences!
Cold water can have several effects. Musher swims in all weathers, but when she comes out of the water, it's often soft poo. Watch your dog's stools after swimming to make sure there is no diarrhea, a sign of a cold snap.
Remember to dry his ears by inserting a handkerchief to absorb the water in the bottom of the pavilion: this will prevent otitis. The classic ailments of a cold snap: the good old cold. If there is a problem, make an appointment with your veterinarian.
As for us, the cold can revive the pains due toOsteoarthritis. It is a common pathology but painful and very disabling for the affected animal. If your dog suffers from it, avoid winter swimming.
So: swimming or not?
The best thing is to let your dog regulate itself: he wants to bathe in the middle of January, why not! You have to do it on a case-by-case basis depending on your dog. Do not force your dog, avoid throwing a stick at him but rather see if he will soak his paws or more on his own. And if he goes into the water, make sure he is not still afterwards to avoid a cold snap.
Sophia: ”When Musher bathes, it is rather me who catches cold. She loves to come and shake herself next to me. It's very pleasant in summer but in winter, when the pants or shoes are wet for the rest of the ride, it's much less so! The rascal! “
After swimming: a good bath?
The season is wet and your dog may not smell very good… And yet it is not the best time for the bath. Indeed, the bristles are covered with a layer of natural fat which is water repellent. This layer allows it to maintain impermeability against bad weather and to dry more quickly. It takes three weeks before completely re-forming. You have to let your sebaceous glands secrete sebum, a fatty liquid that provides protection against the cold.
Frozen water points: dangers?
Be careful, when the temperatures are negative, the water points are frozen or covered with a very thin layer of ice. If the layer of ice does not support your dog's weight, he may fall suddenly into freezing water. Can you rescue him very quickly?
In addition, it is also better to be wary of frozen puddles, walking on them, the ice can be sharp for the pads.
Neoprene vest: anti-cold solution?
Retriever-type hunting dogs go to the water all winter long: they are dogs used for retrieving waterfowl. I have already seen dogs equipped with neoprene vests: it helps with buoyancy and above all it maintains the body heat of the dog under the vest. Indeed, this material is the one used for divers' suits. I tested this type of vest on my dog to paddleboarding in the winter with my dog. Once wet, she remains motionless on the paddle and there, she shivers. With the neoprene dog vest, it's going much better.
Julia: “James is equipped with a neoprene life jacket since he can swim on his own. Indeed, bulldogs love water but they can run out any second, so for more safety it is equipped. What convinced us to choose this model is that it is actually made of neoprene and allows it to be better insulated from the cold and to retain heat. Special mention: you can also put it on rainy days by removing the floating plates. “
I would like to thank James and his mistress Julie who shared their anecdotes and tips with us, which made it possible to write a very complete article on the subject.
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You can also check out the guide I designed on dog training !