Florida dogs and Chicago weather (Joy: houses, live, stores)

[Summerset]

Hi all... I tried doing a search for this on these forums, but I kept getting results for hot dogs

I am moving myself and my two Daschunds (very short haired) up from Florida. My concern is them getting frostbitten outside when I need to walk them. Yeah they have sweaters, but what about their paws? Ears? Coming from Florida (on the onset of winter, no less) this is going to be a huge change for them.

They are 3 yrs old, and used to the heat.
What do you guys do about cold and pets who need to go outdoors?

Thanks for any input,
Summerset

[jessiegirl_98]

My other recommendation would be to get them little "snow botties." They have them to protect the paws from the ice and salt. Just a word of advice, get them early! All pet stores in the area run out quickly after the first salt. I believe there is also something you can get to rub on their paws. I have a husky mix so it wasn't a problem with cold, but she did cut her paws on the ice once

[aloraton]

Hi!I'm relocating at the end of December with my 2 small dogs. I was wondering, how did your dogs adjust? Coming from the humid weather of Florida to the Windy City is going to be such a huge change. Do you have any tips or suggestions you can give me?Thank you so much!~ Joy

[chet everett]

Neighbors have doxies. They seem to like the cold almost as much as my Lab. In fact, I can hardly think of any breeds that do not seem pretty cold tolerant. Even when I have gone from hot climate to Chicago and back with my dogs or my relatives (some of whom have Wheatens, other with dobermans) they all do fine. The sweaters are probably not needed unless they are out in the wet for an extend period -- normal wind chill does not seem to bother any breed.

If the streets are covered in slushy snow the booties are not a bad idea, almost as much because of the salt and the trouble it causes when tracked inside as for anything else.

Dogs need a lot more water in the dry indoor heat of the winter than you realize. Also you may need to change their diet a little and change their grooming -- coat may take a while to get the protective oils that are needed to keep 'em looking good.

Most vets have experience with the problems that dogs get, and the hot weather is harder on almost all breeds.

[karlsch]

Dogs are much hardier than people think. They aren't babies.

I lived in Alaska in a place that got a hell of a lot colder than Chicago. Biggest yearly event in the community: Official Kuskokwim 300 Sled Dog Race Website

One of the first things I noticed when I moved there was how many people kept their dogs outside - all kinds of dogs, from toy dogs to St. Bernards. Of course they had insulated dog houses they could go into if they got cold, but during the day, they seemed to love being outside.

Jessiegirl mentioned booties. They are a good idea to keep paws from being damaged, that's why mushers put them on their sled dogs. They aren't intended to keep the paws warm.

[Avengerfire]

Comparing a dogs life in Alaska to a dogs life in Chicago is like comparing apples and oranges. The input is appreciated though.

I am fairly certain what applies in Alaska usually will not apply to Chicago or just about anywhere else in the U.S.

[eevee]

your doxies should be fine. the only breeds I worry about are breeds w/ little body fat, like greyhounds, Italian greyhounds, and maybe a few very small dogs like chihuahuas. the booties are more to protect against wear and tear than for warmth, and they're especially recommended in the dog is walking across rock salt or snow melt stuff that can cut the paws or that the dogs can later lick off the paws

[grapico]

hrrmmm weird, I also had 2 daschunds and moved to chicago for 3 years, but left them there... was scared to bring them... now back in florida, good luck!

[hannahtee]

I have 2 FL born and raised dogs, and they've never had a problem acclimating to the cold weather whenever we've been up to IL to visit my family (and we usually go in December). In fact, they seem to enjoy it. It was hilarious to see them in the snow for the first time! For what it's worth, I have 2 big dogs (a Lab and a Lab/Shepherd mix), so that may be a factor in how well they seem to adapt to the weather. We're getting ready to move back up to IL ourselves in a couple of weeks, so I guess the true test will come. But I'm not really that worried about it. (And honestly, I'm more worried about me re-acclimating than I am about them. I was born and raised there but my blood has thinned, LOL).

We had a mini short-haired daschund when I was a kid. We did have a little sweater for her for when it was really bad out, but she never really seemed to have a problem with the cold weather.

Good luck with your move.

[Venom]

And there's actually days where Chicago is way colder then anyplace in Alaska...