As many of my readers know, one of my favorite things to do is hike with my dogs! I have hiked with my dogs all year round and in all climates. Each season and climate has it's own particular safety challenges for dogs, but hiking safely with dogs in Winter can be particularly challenging.
.JPG "Hiking safely with dogs in Winter") |
| A beautiful Winter Hike with my dogs in New Hampshire |
In cold Winter weather you usually have both cold (or freezing) temperatures, and snowy or icy terrain to deal with. Winter hikes aren't for every dog, but even for the most rugged dogs there are safety concerns you should take very seriously.
Safety Tips For Winter Hiking With Dogs
Before you even consider taking your dog on a Winter hike, make sure your dog is up for it. I recommend one or more very short cold weather excursions to gauge your dog's ability and tolerance for hiking in cold weather and snowy or icy terrain. Your first hike with your dog should Not be an all out Mad Mountain Dean hike! Ease into it with a couple of practice runs. Not every dog was made for extreme hiking adventure. If your dog is ready for Winter hiking, here are my biggest safety tips for Winter hiking with dogs.
🐾 The most important thing in my opinion is to be sure to bring plenty of water for your dog, as well as yourself! Just like humans, dogs can easily become dehydrated in cold weather just as they do in hot weather. Carry their drinking water in an insulated water bottle to prevent it from freezing. The last thing you want is to be miles away from your car or campsite, stop to give your dog a much needed drink, only to find your bottle of water has frozen!
I found this Camelback Podium Chill Insulated Water Bottle at REI 21 oz for $16.00. There's a 24 oz size for $18. This isn't a sponsored or affiliate link, I'm just sharing what I found on REI's web site. I love that store for high quality outdoor gear!
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| Insulated Water Bottle for Hiking, available at REI |
🐾 In Winter, frozen water is a real safety concern. Lakes, ponds, even deep puddles can freeze, or partially freeze and present a danger to your dog.
Never let your dog walk out onto a frozen body of water. Ice can be thinner than it looks, or thinner in the middle, and your dog could fall through the ice! If your dog lands in icy water hypothermia can set in fast. If your dog gets hypothermia their body temperature can plummet so low it can impact organ function. If not treated quickly, it could be fatal. If this happens, wrap your dog in a blanket and get him medical attention at once.
🐾 Keep your dog leashed at all times and stick to marked trails. Letting your dog run off leash through the forest is always risky, but it can be even more dangerous in cold weather. If they should get lost through the overnight, temperatures could plummet to well below freezing which can jeopardize their health, or even survival.
And again, your dog could be in danger of falling through ice over a frozen pond or lake without you even knowing it!
🐾 My Husky never needs anything to help keep her warm in the frigid weather, that's in her breeding. However, many dog breeds can't stay out in the cold for any length of time without a dog sweater or coat to keep them warm. Layering some clothing on your dog may be helpful. I used to put a t-shirt on my Havanese-Maltese dog Phoebe, with a sweater or dog coat on top.
Phoebe was amazing! Outwardly she looked like this pampered little pooch who would never be able to handle a romp in the snow. But she loved our hikes in the snow! Here's a fun, short video clip of her on our favorite hiking trail in Waterville Valley, New Hampshire. We always had so much fun together!
🐾 Your dog may be able to handle the cold weather without dog clothing. But a jacket to block wind and keep your dog dry can be very helpful. If you are hiking in the mountains, chances are it will not only be much colder as you gain elevation, but it is more likely that it will snow as you hike towards the summit. You may even hit some freezing rain on some parts of the trail. A lightweight jacket to keep your dog's body dry can prevent them from getting soaking wet, and possibly getting sick from prolonged time in the cold weather with wet fur.
If your dog does get wet during a hike, keep a towel in your backpack so you can dry her off every now and then. Inspect the paws to ensure they don't have "ice cookies" on them. Icy balls of snow can harden and get lodged in between the dog's paws. Be sure to remove them!
🐾 Another consideration is Paw Protection. This is actually something I do worry about with Icy in both very hot and very cold weather. Dogs' paws can be sensitive to extreme cold terrain. When we were in Alaska for the Iditarod sled dog race several years ago, it surprised me that the sled dogs all wore dog booties!
Freezing cold rock or exposed ice can cut a dog's paw. Take it from me, dogs' paws bleed a lot! Icy once cut her paw on a piece of glass in our hotel's potty area, and I couldn't believe how much her paw bled! Dog shoes can really help protect a dog's paws as you hike over snowy or icy ground.
If you don't want to put shoes on your dog, or if you dog refuses to wear shoes or booties on their feet, use some Paw Wax to coat her paws before heading out on a Winter hike with your dog. Paw wax will provide some protection from ice and snow, and it can give your dog more traction, especially in icy areas. It can also help prevent your dog's paw pads from cracking or blistering in the frigid cold weather.
🐾 Always have a pet first aid kit with you in your backpack in case your dog gets injured. We never travel without two first aid kits, one for us and one for our dogs. Shih Tzu Happens, I like to say, so be prepared!
🐾 Not every dog is cut out for hiking in the cold. Monitor your dog closely, watching for any signs of discomfort or difficulty navigating the trail. Some signs that your dog may be struggling on a cold weather hike may include:
> Your dog is moving slow or stops frequently, needing to rest before moving on with the hike.
> Your dog appears to lift her paws off the ground or lick her paws during the hike.
> Your dog starts whining or shivering from the cold.
> Any other signs that your dog is uncomfortable or clearly not enjoying the hike.
Hiking with dogs should be fun for everyone! If it looks like your dog isn't enjoying it, please turn around and end the hike. You have nothing to prove and no one is going to judge you for abandoning the trail. We are our dog's advocate, first and foremost it is our responsibility to ensure our dogs are safe and happy. Don't force your dog to continue an activity that is making them uncomfortable.
Making your dog's safety and comfort a priority will surely result in a fun and adventurous cold weather hike! Happy Trails!!
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