Where I live in Georgia, the temperature very seldom gets below freezing, so protecting my Poodles against cold weather isn't much of an issue, although it does get chilly! If you live in the north, or somewhere else with the weather gets cold, it can pose a danger to your Poodles, so you'll need to take extra precautions to keep him or her warm, safe and comfortable.
If your Poodle is outside during the day like mine is while I'm at work, then you'll need to provide some kind of shelter from the weather. The kennel for my two Poodles has a roof over it to provide shade and to keep it dry. It also has shade cloth all around it which also provides shade, as well as protecting it from the wind. If the area where you live gets below freezing during the winter, then you should provide some kind of shelter with heat to protect it from the cold weather, preferably an insulated doghouse that is elevated off the ground. It should be water-proof and ideally have a door to help prevent drafts. It should just be big enough for the dog to stand and turn around. Make sure the bedding is clean and dry at all times.
If you're home most of the time, it's best to keep your Poodle indoors, especially if they are old or ill. In cold temperatures, your Poodle can experience hypothermia, even though they have lots of fur. This occurs when their body temperature falls extremely below their normal temperature of around 101 degrees.
During hypothermia, the metabolic rate is lowered and the organ functions can be affected. Hypothermia symptoms include shivering, weakness, breathing problems, sluggishness, coordination problems and sometimes paralysis. If you live in cold weather, you should become familiar with these symptoms. If you suspect hypothermia, keep your Poodle warm in a blanket and get him to the vet immediately.
When we lived in Scotland, we had English Cockers and used to take them hiking with us in the winter in the snow. Somehow, it never occurred to me that their feet could get frostbite with all that hair and thick pads on their feet! Well, was I wrong! My husband had to carry our female cocker most of the way back. She developed huge ice balls between the toes on her feet and her feet were really sore. Fortunately, there was no permanent damage. We never did that again!
If you are going to hike with your Poodle in cold weather, invest in a pair of boots for him. Also, cutting the hair between your dog's toes and applying Vaseline or cooling spray before your hike will keep the ice from sticking. Watch out for salt on the roads and sidewalks as well. This can hurt your Poodles feet if they are cracked fro the cold weather.
Frostbite is very bad news! It causes tissue death in cells. The areas that are most prone to frostbite are the most highly exposed areas on your Poodle, which include the feet, tail, ears, scrotum and mammary glands.
If your Poodle is outdoors during the day, he may eat more during the cold weather. This gives them more fuel to help keep them warm. Always give them access to fresh drinking water as well. Use a heated bowl if it is very cold, so the water won't freeze. If you want to and if your Poodle will tolerate it, you can put a sweater or coat on your dog. They have lots of fashionable designer ones available these days!
If you follow the steps above to prevent frostbite and hypothermia, your Poodle should tolerate the cold weather quite well.
Sandy Riordan Creator of the website - Standard Poodles USA Everything you need and want to know about Standard Poodles!
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