Those who live far from the winter seasons usually associate snow with an impromptu Sunday plan. Put the family in the car, put on chains in desperation and go up ‘to see the snow’with no other expectation than to walk for a while, dig our boots into a substance that is generally foreign to us, and end up with wet gloves after the umpteenth ball fight. It is an experience that, with a few extra layers of clothing, makes us feel well equipped, but for dogs it can become a completely unfamiliar scenario, full of new stimuli and new risks this goes unnoticed precisely because he was only gone “a few hours”.
This idea that snow is nothing more than compressed cold water generally suggests that there is no need to prepare anything special for the animal, especially if the walk will be brief and no sport will be practiced. But the reality is that snow changes body temperaturechanges the perception of terrain, changes the way dogs sense their environment and can affect your legs even with short exposure times. And since the majority of those who climb the mountain do so without technical equipment, waterproof clothing and prior experience, improvisation is also transferred, unintentionally, to the dog. who accompanies us.
This is why this article wanna offer a practical guide for those who just want to enjoy a few hours with their family pet without needing to become expert mountaineers. It doesn’t matter if it’s a Yorkshire Terrier, Bernese Mountain Dog or short-haired mix., Snow is a special environment, and understanding how a dog experiences it is the key to making the day end well for everyone.
Paws: the most vulnerable point in the snow
The footrests are prepared to resist the cold, but not to stay on compact snow or ice for a long time without discomfort. The feeling that everything is fine may last for a few minutes, but after a while the cold begins to cause numbness, small cracks and, in some cases, the formation of ice cream balls between fingersespecially in dogs with medium-long, long or curly hair. Even mountain breeds can suffer from it if they are not used to it and if their usual environment is a climate without snowfall.
In general, a healthy dog can walk between 10 and 20 minutes straight on snow without major problems, provided the movement is constant and does not remain stationary at the same point. But beyond this margin, it is important to monitor whether he begins to lift one leg, whether he slows down his pace, whether he try to lick the area or if you are looking for less cold ground, it is time to stop. A short rest and continuation over less exposed terrain is usually sufficient.
Once the excursion is over, it is very important dry them carefully. Towel on each pad, between fingers and in the tummy area. After, apply moisturizer specific for dogsor a little Unscented Vaseline helps prevent the appearance of cracks. If the animal has a history of sensitive skin or already exhibits irritations, it is best not to expose it to snow.
Boots and coats: dit depends on the dogeither and the plan
Protective boots and coats can be helpful, but are not required for all dogs. Those with very short hair, thin skin, or breeds with little cold tolerance benefit greatly if they spend more than half an hour on the snow. Double-coated or rough-coated dogs tend to do better, but they are not immune, and wet snow or sharp ice can cause as much damage to their pads as an abrasive 40-degree sidewalk in summer.
Who goes up see the snow without sporting pretensions can opt for a simpler solutionjust like the protective balms applied before the walk and carefully dried afterwards. They work well for short exposures and allow the animal to maintain its natural gait.
Snow is deceptive: sense of smell becomes less reliable
Dogs’ sense of smell is extraordinary, but snow changes everything. It traps odors, reduces traces and homogenizes the landscape. Places that would normally have clear scent references, like trails, intersections or busy areas, become uniform, and for a dog who has never seen snow can be extremely disorienting. This loss of bearings explains why some dogs do not respond in the same way to the call, move away or do not seem to recognize the paths.
This is why it is recommended avoid letting goespecially when visibility is reduced or you don’t know the terrain. Keeping the dog at arm’s length from the leash makes walking in the snow easier are safer since the animal cannot go further than its own olfactory spectrum allows.
Can they eat snow if they are thirsty?
It’s not dangerous in small amounts, but it’s not a real solution for thirst. Snow quickly cools the body temperature and can cause digestive problems if consumption is heavy or very continuous.
During impromptu excursions, it is advisable to bring always normal water. Even if it’s cold, dogs get dehydrated too. Offer them yourselfHaving a few drinks every now and then keeps them from resorting to snow as a substitute.
What to do if the dog gets lost in the snow
On short outings, the probability is low, but not non-existent. A dog disoriented in the snow may move away following a stimulus and, by turning its head, find an identical white landscape everywhere. If this happens, the most important thing is call 112which coordinates mountain rescue and emergency services. It is also a good idea to notify the nearest ski resort or visitor center, where pet loss incidents are often recorded. Readers should be reminded that the app exists AlertCopswith the function Come with meprecisely aimed at this type of outdoor activities, which geolocates our location for rescue services even in places without coverage.
It is also important to carry a phone with a battery, a harness with visible identification and a collar with a tag to greatly facilitate reunion. And if the dog tends to run away or be frightened by noises, A GPS device for the necklace For specific excursions this may be an investment that we appreciate if necessary.
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