Snow day

When it comes to dogs and snow, we often think of breeds like Siberian huskies or Alaskan malamutes or Bernese Mountain dogs. These dogs are very literally born ...

And don’t forget that ice is just as slippery for dogs as it is for you: many a dog has ended up in surgery with a torn ACL after slipping on ice. Snow can disorient your dog, and cold can diminish the power of scent. If you suspect hypothermia, get your dog to a warm room or vehicle, wrap her in blankets or towels, place bottles of warm water next to her and notify your veterinarian right away. Once it dips below freezing, your dog will probably begin to feel uncomfortable unless he’s an arctic breed, and you need to limit his exposure to 10 or 15 minutes; below 20 degrees, both you and your dog are especially susceptible to injury from the cold. Now, that’s not to say that if you have a single-coated or small dog that you can’t enjoy the snow with them. It may be cold and rainy where you are — but what about driving a few miles up the road and enjoying a snow day with your pup?