Winter worryland

There’s little doubt the holiday season has left you in need of a vacation. I mean, all the shopping, the eating, the napping between shopping and eating. It’s been hell, and you deserve a rest! For many that means a call into work claiming you’re sick, and a drive up to the mountains. Those of us who live in this Mediterranean climate may forget, but if you and your dog are heading to the snow then you need to winterize your pooch. 

That built-in fur coat will help, but even the fluffiest dogs who spend 99% of their time in the Bay Area will not have developed the full coat found on dogs exposed to more significant seasonal weather. And in really cold weather even that full-coated dog is still at risk of everything from cracked paws to potentially fatal hypothermia. A good starting point: if you feel the need of a coat, your dog does too. Happily for fashion-conscious Fidos, fiber- and down-filled dog vests are readily available, but remember those only protect what they cover. Tail tips, ear flaps and other sensitive and uncovered areas can suffer from frostbite, so limit time out of doors as the thermometer drops. This advice is even more critical for puppies and older animals.