Do Dogs Like Snow?

Do you dream of playing fetch in the snow with your furry pal on a cold, wintry day? Your long-haired Malamute or Newfoundland likely can't get enough of powder-covered nature trails, happily rolls to make snow angels in the yard and enjoys catching snowflakes on their tongues. Some dogs love snow!

Before you head out, remember that dogs need to prep for spending time outside in cold weather — just like you do.

Keeping Outside Pets Warm in Winter

If your dog lives outside, be sure he has a heated dog house for the winter months to keep him comfortable. No pet wants to sleep on the frozen ground or in damp conditions. Proper shelter from wind, rain and snow is a must to keep your pet healthy. A dog crate or designated animal stall inside a garage (away from chemicals), shed or barn should do the trick.

First, always have water available inside your dog's outdoor home. It's a good idea to dump, rinse and refill the water bowl each time you feed your dog his daily kibble so the water is clean and fresh. The K&H Thermal-Bowl Heated Outdoor Water Bowl prevents water from freezing during snowy, cold winter days. It can be plugged in 24 hours a day to ensure a constant source of drinking water for your pet, even in sub-zero temperatures. The bowl comes in four sizes to best fit your space and pet needs and features a 5.5-foot steel-wrapped cord that's chew-resistant.

Second, make your dog's space cozy! A heated pet bed or a heating pad added to an existing dog house are excellent ways to keep an outdoor dog warm on winter days. The K&H Original Lectro-Kennel Outdoor Heated Pet Pad is made of durable ABS plastic and features a steel-wrapped cord. This pad comes in three sizes and easily slides into the base of a kennel or lies on the floor of an outbuilding.

Do you have one of the popular igloo-shaped dog houses? We make pet heated pads to specifically fit their unique circular shapes. Check out the K&H Lectro-Kennel Igloo-Style Outdoor Heated Pad. This half-circle-shaped heated pad made of ABS plastic features a steel-wrapped cord and comes with a faux fleece cover. It's available in three sizes to accommodate most dogs.

If your outdoor pet doesn't have a bed, consider getting a heated bed that offers both warmth and orthopedic foam for the ultimate comfort. The K&H Lectro-Soft Outdoor Heated Pet Bed is waterproof, comes with a washable faux fleece cover and features a steel-wrapped cord to deter chewing. This bed comes in three convenient sizes to tuck in a dog house or lay on a dry floor.

Warming Up After a Dog Walk in the Snow

Sometimes just entering the house after outdoor playtime may not be enough to warm your pup up if your pet is an indoor companion. After a walk, offering a heated dog bed during the winter months will help the pet shake off the winter chill much faster. Plus, they can lie in bed on those extra blustery days when you've grabbed an extra blanket or sweater.

The K&H Pet Bed Warmer is designed for indoor use and can easily slip into your pet's existing bed with a zippered cover to add heat. This indoor heat pad comes in four sizes to accommodate the tiniest of teacup poodles to larger Siberian Huskies.

If your dog could use a new indoor bed, consider the K&H Thermo-Snuggly Sleeper Heated Dog Bed. This oval-shaped bed with low side walls for nuzzling or resting a head on features a washable cover and removable heater. Choose from two sizes.

Of course, any of the outdoor heated pads or pet beds mentioned earlier can also be used indoors! And none of these products are limited to dogs. If you have an outdoor cat that needs extra warmth, these products will also work for them.

Winter Safety Tips for Dogs

Even though your best canine buddy wears a fur coat, they need extra TLC during the winter. Dogs can get chapped, dry skin and frostbite when exposed to winter winds and cold air. So, daily checks and preventative maintenance are a must, whether your pup stays inside or outside.

• Remove any ice accumulation or small snowballs from dog paw pads and between the toes after time outside in the snow. Or, put dog booties on your pet when outside to keep her feet dry. Use paw balm to hydrate and moisturize dog paws, often during dry winter months.
• Outfit your pup with a dog coat or sweater for added warmth when she is outside. And skip the buzz cut at the groomers. Your pet needs the extra fur for cozy insulation during winter.
• Wash your dog's paws and belly with warm water after walking them in areas where ice melt or salt crystals are used to manage winter conditions. This reduces potential skin irritation.

Dogs can get frostbite. This happens when the temperature dips below 32°F, and if the dog is wet (from melting snow on their body, for example), they are even more susceptible to frostbite. This winter condition most commonly affects the paws, ears and tail. If you notice discoloration of your dog's skin (paler than usual, blue, gray, black), skin swelling, blisters, skin ulcers or the pet expresses pain when you touch certain parts of the body, call your veterinarian for guidance.

Do dogs like snow and winter weather?

Yes, some of them sure do! And they will do anything to get your attention when the flakes start to fall so they can get outside and play. The keys to keeping your snow-loving dog safe include daily wellness and frostbite checks, providing the essentials while exposed to cold weather and always ensuring they are warm enough. Here's to enjoying the frosty days of winter with your furry friend!