What we enjoy most during this pandemic is the time that we spend with our furry friends. Dogs tend to have a way of making our day fun and removing any stress that you may feel. Seeing them having fun in the snow makes you want to get in there with them. However, keeping them safe during the cold season is the most important thing that you should take note of.
What to do when RVing with your dogs? Ensure your dogs can handle winter and provide them with warm clothing. Your RV should have proper heating, know the signs of hypothermia, and pack appropriate accessories that your dogs may need.
When traveling with your dogs on the road, you need to make sure they are safe. In this article, I will talk about the various factors that you need to consider when traveling with your furry friends. I will talk about the different accessories and clothes that you should bring along during your life on the road. Lastly, I will also talk about some tips and tricks on how you can keep them warm and safe during this season.
Ensure Your Dog Can Handle Winter
You need to take note that not all dogs can handle the cold weather. You need to take their age, size, and breed into consideration before bringing them along in your RV. If your dog is too old, it can be sensitive to the cold weather. Huskies love the cold and can handle lower temperatures than other breeds. On the other hand, smaller breeds cannot tolerate cold temperatures, so it is best to stay on the warm side of the country when you have them with you.
Individual dogs are different, so you need to consider if your dogs love snow or not. Also, it is crucial to make sure that your furry friends are ready for travel. They should be healthy, groomed, and well-behaved if you want to bring them along during the winter season.
Always be ready for any emergency that might happen. When planning your destination, you can pin any close vet clinics in case of emergencies. Make sure to check with your destination if there are any restrictions for pets and take note of where they can as well as cannot go.
Warm Clothing is Important
If you know that your dog can’t handle low temperatures, make sure that you pack plenty of warm clothing. Aside from clothing, you also need to make sure that you bring blankets and a proper bed for them to sleep in. Cold weather sweaters, small rain jackets, and harnesses should be available. These clothing are perfect for traveling and morning walks.
When heading in a snowy area, packing boots will also be great. For quieter moments at night, bringing the right bedding and blanket is important. Heating pads are also a great idea to keep them warm. It is best to place the heating pads in their bed or crate.
RV Should Have Proper Heating
Keeping your RV with proper heating goes well for both you and your pets. Make sure your RV has plenty of warmth during the morning and night. When your RV is adequately insulated, it should keep a solid base temperature that won’t require you to run the heater all night and day. You should have a space heater or two to keep your room or wherever your dogs sleep warm.
If you plan to leave your pets alone for a bit, make sure that you have the heat on and proper ventilation. However, if you feel like you are going to take some time outside, you might as well bring them along. Just make sure that pets are allowed at the place that you are going to.
Aside from the heater, make sure they have some sort of sweater or coat on and blankets to keep them warm.
Be Aware and Cautious
Whatever season it may be, it is always best to be aware and cautious when you are traveling with a dog. If you decide to camp near a river, stream, or lake, there might be ice on it. Be sure to check if the ice is solid enough before letting them explore. You don’t want to put your bud in danger.
Also, dogs are more prone to frostbite than we are, and exposure to cold water can exacerbate frostbite. When their skin is pale with a bluish-white hue, your furry friend might be suffering from frostbite. Ice might also form around the affected area, and when it’s touched, it feels cold or brittle, which can be painful for dogs.
Always be aware and cautious if you are taking your dogs out for a day in the snow. Make sure that they wear proper clothing and boots to keep them safe. Be aware of the surroundings and keep a keen eye on them at all times.
Check for Signs of Hypothermia
Knowing the symptoms of hypothermia in dogs is important. If they show signs of trembling, shivering, whimpering, or whining, they might have hypothermia. Other symptoms may also include cold ears and body. At this point, they need to have some warming up. When you see these symptoms, make sure to cover them immediately in blankets and seek shelter right away.
A warm mixture of sugar and water can help since warm water warms them, and sugar provides them energy. Aside from this home remedy, make sure to contact your local vet for further instructions and for the safety of your pups.
Other Things to Consider
Aside from the factors that are mentioned above, there are other things that you need to consider when traveling with dogs in your RV during the winter season. The following will talk about the other things that you need to consider when spending time with your dogs outdoors during the winter.
Keep Furbabies Active
Just like humans, dogs stay warmer when they do physical activities. If you are hiking or taking a walk, rest may be important but sitting idle for too long can cause dogs to lose the essential body heat they need. If you are just hanging outside of your RV, make sure to play fetch with them to keep them moving around.
Keep Your Pups Dry
Now, when dogs play outside, there is a chance that they may get wet in water or snow. You need to make sure to keep them dry. When they are out in the cold and wet, it can lead to hypothermia. If you are going on walks or hikes, you need to make sure to keep a dry towel on you at all times. This way, you can keep them dry in case they get wet.
Feed Them Regularly and Give Warm Cuddles
Efficient metabolism is important because it will keep your dogs warm. When sticking to their regular feeding schedule, they will have the energy to burn and stay warmer. Aside from feeding properly, you can provide them with lots of cuddles. This is probably the easiest thing that you can do, and it’s fun for you as well as your furry pup.
With warm cuddles, it can keep your dog from feeling too cold, and it goes both ways. If you have larger dogs, they can guarantee a warmer feeling, while smaller breeds will appreciate the warmth even if they can’t give it back to you. An added bonus is you will get to snuggle with them, which is such a fantastic activity.
Must-Have Winter Accessories for Your Dog’s Comfort
It is vital that you have the right accessories packed for your dog’s comfort before hitting the road. The following are some of the key things that you need to have to keep them warm during the cold winter season.
Dog Jackets for Warmth
Source: www.thesprucepets.com
There are three types of jackets that you can choose from, and they are insulated jackets, softshell jackets, and hybrid jackets. Let’s start with the insulated jackets. These jackets are great when you are taking your short-haired dogs for a long snowy hike or walk. It is made with a water-resistant polyester shell filled with synthetic insulation. This is perfect for inclement weather that you may experience along the way.
On the other hand, softshell jackets are great for dogs who are on the fluffy side and could use an extra layer to stay warm for a short hike or walk. These types of jackets are wind and water-resistant. The softshell jackets are the usually sleeved style with the stretchy underside, and it covers both your dog’s chest as well as stomach.
Lastly, hybrid jackets are the best of both worlds. It has an insulated top but will also provide coverage for the dog’s underside. These types of jackets also prevent snow buildup on any exposed fur, which is an excellent prevention of hypothermia.
A Comfy Bed for Your Furry Friend
Your dog also needs a comfortable bed, just like you. It will keep them warm from the belly up. Soft waterproof beds usually have two-sided covers that are ideal for indoor and outdoor use. The Lightspeed Outdoors Self Inflating Fleece is the perfect bed that you can use for any outdoor activity. It is the perfect size for the RV, measuring 42″ X 32″ X 2″ (open size) and 32″ X 6″ (rolled size). It weighs about 3. 6 lbs and has an inner foam mattress of 1.5″.
Source: Pinterest
The Lightspeed Outdoors Self Inflating Fleece can self-inflate with a twist of a nozzle. You can adjust the bed by blowing air in and pushing air out. It is machine washable, puncture, and water-resistant. This bed is also easy to store, so you don’t have to worry about it taking too much space in your RV.
You can also opt to buy thick memory foam beds for them to sleep in. The Dogbed4less Premium Memory Foam is the perfect and comfortable bed that your dog can have. It is available in seven sizes which are 35″ x20″ x4″ (small-medium) at $59.95, 37″ x27″ x4″ (medium-large) at $72.90. You have two options for the extra-large size, which are 40″ x35″ x4″ at $84.95 and 47″ x29″ x4″ at $86.90.
Source: Amazon
Other available sizes for the Premium Memory Foam are 41″ x27″ x4″ (large) at $76.95, 55″ x37″ x4″ (XXL) at $116.95, and 55″ x47″ x4″ (jumbo) at $135.95. It has a waterproof liner and two internal covers. It also includes one waterproof internal zipper cover to protect the memory foam and one washable colored external cover. It also comes with an additional MicroSued brown external case.
The Premium Memory Foam is better than the average dog beds that you may see in the market. It provides great therapeutic comfort and has a lot of benefits such as pressure point relief, alignment support, cooler sleeping surface, and less allergens. With this bed, you can rest assured that your best bud will get a restful sleep.
Now, if you don’t have room in your RV for a dog bed or crate, you can always have them sleep next to you in your bed. Not only will they be warm, but you will also have the chance to cuddle with them throughout the night.
Dog Boots for a Fun Run in the Snow
Source: www.ruffwear.com
If you want to spend a fun and joyful run through the snow with your furry friend, you would need the perfect boots. It prevents any snowball buildup between your dog’s toes. When fluffy snow makes contact with fluffy toe fur, it can be painful for dogs. It is best to keep your dog’s fur-trimmed on their toes to prevent this. However, if it doesn’t work, you can get dog boots instead.
The Ruffwear Polar Trex Waterproof Winter Boots are the best dog boots that you can buy for your furry friend. It is available in two colors which are Forest Green and Obsidian Black. It has Vibram Icetrek outsoles and a winter-specific lug pattern that provides great traction on icy or frozen surfaces.
It has a waterproof upper that is made with a three-layer laminated softshell with durable water repellent coating. The Ruffwear Polar Trex Waterproof Winter Boots is breathable and wind-resistant. It has a pullover stretch gaiter with a zippered closure that keeps the boots on paws and snow out.
These boots also have a reliable hook and loop cinch closure so that it stays on your dog’s paws, making sure it is a snug, secure fit. The cost of the Ruffwear Polar Trex Waterproof Winter Boots is $101.04.
Paw Wax for Your Furry Friend’s Protection
Source: Amazon
Now, if dog boots are no longer an option, paw wax is the way to go. The Musher’s Secret Dog Paw Wax is the best paw wax that you can buy for your dogs. It is made from a blend of food-grade waxes and oils. This dog paw wax is fast drying, non-allergenic, and non-staining. It also forms as a breathable shield against snow, serving as protection for your dog’s paw.
The Musher’s Secret Dog Paw Wax is gluten-free and non-GMO. It is also made with vitamin E and can be used all season, not just during the winter. It is easy to apply and not only meant for paws but can also be applied on elbows, ears, snots, and hot spots.
To apply, all you need to do is apply paw cream on the dog’s paws two to three times a week. Depending on the snow conditions, you might need to apply it more often. Once applied, it will absorb in seconds. The cost for the Musher’s Secret Dog Paw Wax is $14.99.
First Aid Kits for the Safety of Your Dogs
Source: www.adventuremedicalkits.com
The most crucial thing that you should have while traveling with dogs is first aid kits. Just like humans, dogs are also prone to injuries. If they slip or step on something sharp, you want to be prepared as much as possible. Make sure you address the issue right away and prevent any further complications, such as excessive swelling or nasty infections.
You can purchase the Adventure Medical Kits (Me & My Dog Medical Kit) for your first aid kit needs. This company provides different first aid kits that are specific to outdoor activities. It includes bandages, dressings, tweezers (removing splinters or ticks), and disinfectants. It also comes with a comprehensive guide to help address any injuries.
It is easy to pack away and will not take a lot of space in your RV. It is always better to be safe than sorry. The Adventure Medical Kits (Me & My Dog Medical Kit) cost $49.99.
Conclusion
Traveling with dogs is no walk in the park, whether it is during the summer or winter season. When you know the right items to pack, you can ensure your dogs’ safety during cold temperatures. Be aware of different signs of frostbite and hypothermia, and once you see these signs, make sure to act right away. If needed, make sure to contact your local vets as soon as possible. Have a fun and safe journey with your furry friends!
