After long, muddy autumn walks it is paramount to make sure you dog is dry to stay healthy.
Dryness is key to health.
It is extremely important that dogs get dry as soon as possible once they have played, walked of worked in the rain and mud. Let them enjoy the outdoors and don't shy away from walking them on a rainy day, but take care of their coat and environment afterwards. A wet coat is a cold coat and a dog can lose condition quickly if it can't dry its coat out quickly. A tired dog would suffer after a day in the autumn rain if it remains wet to the skin for hours after. Rub the dog down with a towel after the exercise. A good rub will even heat him up a bit and it will take the main moisture out of the coat. This can be followed by rest in a warm, dry place where he can sleep and recover at the same time as drying up completely. If you want him to dry out in the boot room or kitchen, a dehumidifier can do wonders. As the dehumidifier takes the moisture out of the air, your dog gets drier very quickly.
The Wet Weather.
Just go out in the weather! To be honest, many dogs take one look at the rain and prefer not to get out, but make them! Everyone feels better after the outdoors as long as there is a nice, warm dog bed to come home to in a warm, dry room. Seasons are important for dogs as well as for us. Long, hot summers followed by autumn colours and fresh weather. Change and variety is great.
Is Warmth important for Dogs?
No, not in itself. If your dog is dry and well fed after a long day outside, warmth is not important. In fact dogs are not fans of heat, but they MUST be dry. This is certainly the case for thick coated dogs. If you have a small dog with a thin coat, you will know how much they appreciate heat. So: If you have a large, double coated dog, keep him dry and not too hot. If you have a small dog with a thin coat, he will soon tell you that he prefers a warm bed.
The Dog Bed
Finally, the ultimately important piece of equipment: The Dog Bed. In the autumn when your dog may still have a damp coat after you rubbed him down with a towel, he MUST be given a waterproof dog bed that will give him 100% insulation from the floor. A Tuffies Mattress Bed is orthopaedic and totally waterproof securing perfect insulation from the floor. If you have a small, forever shivering dog like a Jack Russell, go for a warm, cosy Tuffies Nest with a full cover.
