Winters are a magical time for everyone, but our furry companions especially French bulldogs, need special care in this season. Frenchies have short coat and they have unique physical bodies that make them more vulnerable to cold conditions. It's up to you to make sure they stay safe in the winter months so they stay healthy. Here in this blog, we will discuss how you can prepare your French bulldog for this new winter season.
Why French bulldogs are so sensitive to cold?
If you want to deal with the sensitivity to cold you first need to understand why they are so sensitive to cold. French bulldogs are brachycephalic dogs with short noses, that’s the reason they struggle to regulate their body temperature and their small coat provides them minimal insulation. All these factors lead them to hypothermia and they feel difficulty in low temperatures.
Set Up a Warm Sleeping Area
Frenchies like to sleep in soft and cozy places in the winter season. Always find a well-insulated and soft bed for them that can keep them warm. Dobi bed can be a great choice for French bulldogs as it is designed in the shape of a house so it will provide the maximum safety and comfort.
The material used in the house bed is polyester so your pup can easily relax in his castle. The bed is designed in such a way that it gives privacy to your pup.
You can also select an orthopedic bed if you have an older Frenchie. Another thing you can do is to elevate the bed from the cold floor either hardwood flooring or concrete and put the bed on a rug or any platform so the bed gets warm quickly. Add a layer of soft blanket so your pup can burrow and stay warm during the naps.
Maintain a Comfortable Indoor Temperature
The most important thing is to keep your home warm and make sure that the temperature doesn’t drop below a sudden level. If you are living in a cold area don’t place their beds near the doors, windows, and drafty areas. If you keep the indoor heating on for a long time it will make the air dry and irritate the respiratory system. Add a humidifier in these situations it will promote good skin and excellent respiratory health of our dog.
Dress Your French Bulldog for Outdoor Adventures
French bulldogs love to dress in warm snuggly clothes, like sweaters and jackets made from wool or other insulating material. So choose clothing that is designed especially for their unique body. Their paws are also very sensitive to cold and easily get irritated by the salt, ice, and snow. You may find that some Frenchies get irritated while wearing boots but with positive reinforcement, you can get them used to wearing boots.
When going out always apply some kind of balm on their feet to protect them from salt and ice. This can also prevent their paws from cracking and dryness. The most important thing is to rinse their paws after every walk with lukewarm water this will help in removing chemicals and salts and dry their paws after that with a towel.
Winter Diet and Exercise Routine
When the winter arrives most of the Frenchies become less active so keep an eye on their calorie intake. If your Frenchie is not going out in winter you can start by reducing their portion size. You can add omega-3 fatty acids to their diet to improve the skin and hydration in the winter season. Another thing you can do is that whenever you are taking them out for exercise don’t let them play in cold for too long. Take them for a shorter walk and that too during the day time. Try to engage them indoors with games like tug of war and fetch so they stay engaged mentally and physically.
Winter Grooming Tips
Bathing your Frenchie too much will lead its coat to lose natural oil and lead to flaky and dry skin. So in the winter season decrease the frequency of bathing and use moisturizing dog shampoo. After bathing use conditioner to lock the moisture and to keep their skin hydrated. Brushing the coat of your Frenchie regularly is equally important. The regular comb will distribute the natural oils on the skin and keep it hydrated. When brushing their coat check their skin for redness and flakiness, as it is common in the winter season. If you feel any kind of irritation on their skin consult your vet.
Keep Up with Vet Visits
Make sure your Frenchie is up to date on vaccinations and other health checkups. Cold weather can cause different conditions like arthritis and taking your dog for check-ups in winter will help overcome these health issues. If you feel that your Frenchie is curling up tightly, shivering, or displaying any unusual behavior then these are the signs that your caught cold. In such a situation take them indoors and warm them up.
Mental Stimulation and Comfort
In winter when you keep your Frenchie indoors for too long they will get bored and need mental stimulation. You can provide them with mental stimulation through toys, many toys can be played inside and relieve boredom. You can also cuddle with them and provide them with affection and warmth in the chilly winter season.
Planning Outdoor Time Wisely
When you take them out for a walk in winter choose the time wisely. If it's possible choose the midday time for walks, when the temperature outside is bearable. Don’t take them out early in the morning or late evening because at that time the temperature is very harsh. Similarly don’t take them out for a single long walk instead try small walks with frequent breaks so your Frenchie will get minimum exposure to the outdoors.
Conclusion
Preparing your Frenchie for winter means a lot of thoughtful care and good observation. If you keep them warm and maintain their routine, protect their paws, and make sure they get plenty of stimulation indoors this will help them lead happy and healthy lives throughout the winter. Keep in mind that your Frenchie is a small fragile dog but with the right care, they can enjoy the winter along with you.