Shih Tzu and Winter: 10 Best Ways to Keep Your Shih Tzu Safe This Winter

How can you take care of your Shih Tzu in the winter?

Shih Tzu and Winter they do not do well in cold weather, and they could easily get cold on winter nights. They are a dog breed that is sensitive to cold temperatures and could catch a nasty cold when the winter season starts.

You might be wondering, do Shih Tzus really get cold? Yes, they do. Shih Tzus, in fact, do get cold in winter. This dog breed is brachycephalic, and it contributes to them being sensitive to colder temperatures. Their small bodies dissipate heat relatively quickly compared to other dog breeds, and they also get breathing difficulties due to their elongated soft palate.

Also, their short coats don’t offer much help either. Suffice it to say, Shih Tzus haven’t been bred to be outdoor canines. Because they get cold easily, they could suffer from hypothermia in very low temperatures and become dehydrated. They’re among the dog breeds that you need to take extra care of, especially in cold winter temperatures.

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how to keep them warm

Here is what you could do for your Shih Tzu when temperatures start to go low:

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Have Them Checked by the Vet

Elderly Shih Tzus are more susceptible to suffering in cold temperatures, as are young pups. Low temperatures could bring on illnesses faster and impact an already existing medical condition.

When it starts to feel colder, ensure that you take your dog to the veterinarian to get a general health check-up. They would be able to detect anything that might get worse as the temperatures get colder.

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Give Them a Warm and Comfortable Bed

Temperatures drop the lowest during nighttime, and this is when your dog could be at his coldest. You could consider making them **a warm bed **with blankets to keep them cozy.

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Do Not Overfeed Your Shih Tzu

Most pet owners tend to walk their pups less during the winter. The dampness and cold temperatures are just about enough to put a lot of people off.

Nevertheless, it means that your Shih Tzu would not be getting enough exercise, so you should consider how much food and treats you give them to avoid weight problems.

Keep your Shih Tzu at a reasonable weight. You should strike a balance between feeding them to keep their energy levels up and still maintaining a sensible weight.

Ensure that Their Drinking Water Isn’t Too Cold

Always check how cold your Shih Tzu’s drinking water is. Very cold water could make Shih Tzus ill, including giving them a sore throat and aggravating common cold symptoms.

Also, ensure that their water is not freezing over if it’s left outside and make it a point to leave their bowl near a warmer spot in the house.
The water flowing through your tap could also be too cold for them. If the pipes are almost frozen, the water would be too cold, so put tepid water into their water bowl.

Minimize Going Out

Your Shih Tzu might beg you to go outside, but use a commonsense approach regarding this matter. If it is too chilly outside, help them burn off some of their energy inside the house.

You can play with your Shih Tzu using a laser pen, which could chase up and down the living room until he is puffed out. Playtime like that keeps his weight and fitness levels in check; it also means that you don’t have to take a walk outside when it is too cold for him.

Make Use of Toilet Training Pads

When the temperatures are too harsh for your Shih Tzu to go potty outside, you would need an effective solution. We recommend puppy pads – you might have already used this when house training your Shih Tzu pup. They work just as great with grown dogs.

You could purchase a large pack of puppy pads on Amazon. Your dog should be able to recall how to use them, so these pads could be very useful, especially in cold winter weather.

Don’t Forget Sufficient Paw Protection

It would be best to always look at your Shih Tzu’s paws during the colder months to look for wounds and cracks. Their paws are very prone to cold temperatures and ice, and could deteriorate quickly, becoming horribly sore –with even the chance of frostbite! You could also purchase effective (and chic) winter boots for your Shih Tzu on Amazon.

Trim Their Nails to Prevent Slipping and Injury

Even if you do not think that it is cold enough to purchase Shih Tzu winter boots, you should still keep your dog’s paws in winter, particularly their nails.

Longer claws and nails will have the proper traction on compacted snow and ice, and if not trimmed properly, can lead to skidding and injuries.
Avoid Anti-freeze and Street Salt

During icy winter, a lot of people tend to put chemicals and salt on the pavements and roads to stop people and vehicles from slipping. Although this is ok for us humans, it could be very painful on unprotected Shih Tzu paws; the same goes for chemical substances like anti-freeze, which could also be poisonous when ingested.

Don’t Allow Them to Eat Snow

Your Shih Tzu would definitely love seeing lovely snow for the first time. Since it is an unusual sight and feeling for them, they might probably want to play and roll about in it.

They might also want to eat snow too. While it might look cute, it could actually make them ill if the snow has fecal matter, urine, or chemical traces in it. Thus, do not let your dog eat snow; it might make them sick in the cold winter season.

Always Keep Them Dry

The gravest risk to your Shih Tzu’s health during the winter season is when the cold temperatures combine with dampness. It could result in health conditions from cold symptoms to potentially fatal hypothermia.
After playing in the snow, ensure that you towel them down thoroughly. You could even consider using a hairdryer if they would allow you.

Lastly, check for snow stuck into their paws and fur as this would turn to cold water when you get back inside your home, thus making their bed damp too.