Although we’ve been lucky to get some days of sunshine I think it’s safe to say we’re in for a pretty cold winter!

Just like us, our dogs have a cold tolerance and this can vary between breeds depending on their coat, body fat, activity levels and general health. Be aware of your pet’s tolerance during the cooler months and make sure your keeping an eye on them. Depending on how cool it may be you may need to shorten the length of your walks. If you have an elderly dog or one who suffers from arthritis don’t push their limits and adjust their exercise times as required. For elderly dogs they’re best to have shorter walks spread throughout as long as temperature outside isn’t too low It can be a lot harder for your elderly or arthritic dogs to move around in the colder weather, especially when they first wake up. If possible, sleeping inside would be ideal but if this isn’t an option their outside area must be protected from the elements and for shorter furred dogs a coat would be ideal. Although we like to think our dogs are suited for outside living they are still susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia.

Although it might be raining outside it can be hard to look into those big brown eyes and say no. If the rain is only light it is okay to go for a walk, as long as you and your mate have a coat on they’ll be more than happy to trot along beside you. Keep in mind smaller dogs have shorter legs, meaning their bellies are a lot closer to the ground and more prone to getting wet whilst outside. Jackets and coats are available that can cover the underneath section of your pooch.

Be logical when having your pet outside in the cold. Pets with diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease or hormonal imbalances (ie; Cushing’s disease) can have difficulty regulating their body temperature. This can also be an issue for very young or old pets.

For our shorter coated, older pets inside access (especially of a night time) if ideal but sometimes we can forget our dogs natural body functions. Some breeds of dogs are designed for the cooler weather and we can easily forget this. Breeds such as Huskies, Malamutes, Saint Bernard’s and Pyrenean Mountain Dogs are all working dogs from the snow. These breeds have thick double coats and can easily over heat if we try to over compensate for their natural ability to stay warm. In saying this, no pet should be left outside for long periods of time in the cold.
 If you ever have any concerns about your pets or ability to cope during the cooler weather it’s best to consult your vet.

A common issue, that’s normally more spoken of in summer, is pets being left in cars. Although your dog can keep out of the wind inside a vehicle, if left un attended for a period of time your car can quickly cool down and turn into an ‘ice box’ as such. We all know how cold our cars are of a morning when we first get in and the temperature can drop very quickly even with a doggy inside.

If your exercise routine changes due to the cold weather and your dog gets less exercise make sure you adjust your meal sizes to match. For example, if your pet is high energy who would normally exercise a lot on a daily basis and this becomes less during winter you may need to feed a little less to avoid unhealthy weight gain.

Don’t forget your pooch can help to keep you warm too, nothing beats coming home from a cold day and snuggling on the couch with your furry four legged best friend!

What a chilly weekend we are set to have!
We hope everyone has kept nice warm over the past week!

Have no fear with the cool weather though; all of our guests at Dogs Country Club enjoyed a nice snug night inside their fully insulted and sound proof room with heating available for any guests that require it.
We also have available, for all guests, our very fashionable Thermatex Coats. These coats are made from a natural wool based fabric and although they are quite light and breathable they are extremely comfortable and offer the warmest option for our guests.
These coats are available for purchase in our office also and might be just what you need coming into these wintery months. All sizes and colours are available but if we don’t have them in the requested size we can always order them in for quick delivery.

If you have any questions or queries in regards to our coats let our staff know or check them out next time your down here.
In the meantime, enjoy the photos from our fashion show in our new Thermatex Coats.


Gemma & Frodo.

As our pets age their bodies begin to deteriorate and health issues can begin to arise. One of the most common problems in dogs, both young and old is Arthritis. We’re all aware of Arthritis but how does it really affect our dogs?

Although it is more common in older dogs and larger breeds it can affect any dog of any age and size.

What is Arthritis?

Cartilage cushions the ends of bones throughout the body and allows smooth and frictionless motions in the joints. Arthritis occurs when this cartilage breaks down; it becomes rough and eventually wears away, exposing the sensitive bone underneath. This results in pain, inflammation and stiffness in the joints and ultimately it loses its stability.

What Causes Arthritis?

There are a number of different causes of arthritis but the most common cause in dogs in chronic wear and tear of the joints. This is more common in medium to larger breed dogs who can put extra stress on their body with their weight. Other causes can be injury, such as cruciate ligament damage and fractures to the joint. Once a joint is injured it can become unstable would then lead to damage of the cartilage.
Congenital joint problems such as hip dysplasia, luxating patella etc. can also lead to Arthritis. These health issues cause the joints to develop abnormally in a young dog and lead to instability as the dog ages.
Infection can also lead to arthritis, bacteria and other organisms can invade the joint and cause

How do I know if my dog has arthritis?

Arthritis is something your vet can diagnose with a variety of tests and scans. With this in mind, if you notice your dog struggling to get up in the morning or showing any signs of pain it’s best to get seek the advice of your vet, this way you cross out any serious injury or underlying health issues.

How is Arthritis treated?

There is a variety of medication available for the treatment of arthritis that your vet can recommend but there are things you can do yourself at home to help ease the symptoms.

The most important thing you can do for your dog is manage their weight, an overweight dog that suffers from arthritis is a painful mix. Keeping your dog at their ideal, healthy body weight is going to prevent any unnecessary extra weight bearing down on their sore joints. It’s also very important to keep your dog at a healthy weight from a young age, this will help keep their bones strong and healthy and help avoid arthritis from a young age. This is vital in the growth stages for larger breeds especially. It’s best to consult your vet to find out the best weight for your dog, although you can find the average weight for specific breeds every dog is different.
It’s important to maintain regular amounts of low impact exercise as this can actually reduce stiffness and help to strengthen the muscles that support the joints. Soft leash walks and swimming are ideals forms of exercise; in older dogs it’s best to exercise them for smaller amounts of time more often during the day instead of one large walk once a day. 
Try to make life as easy as possible for your dog, if needing to get in and out of the car give the option of a ramp or steps. Make sure their bedding is thick and warm during the cooler weather but is still low line to the ground so it’s easy for them to move on and off.
If you find that pet is in pain or have any questions on their health, weight or exercising it’s best to contact your regular vet and have your dog examined.