Team My Angel Shih Tzu
It’s Winter, and you have a cute Shih Tzu to cuddle—believe me, there is no greater blessing than that. But remember that these small breed dogs get sick quickly if Shih Tzu winter care is not followed. The optimal temperature for this toy breed is 68F-78F. Below and above this temperature, canines feel discomfort!
The hair of these dogs is very beautiful, shiny, and thin. Compared to other dogs, they do not have fur inside them, but they have hair that does not provide warmth as much as wooly fur provides. Although nature has blessed them with a double coat, at the same time, it becomes very difficult for them to survive in Winter. Their hair grows a lot in Winter; if they are not groomed properly, they will surely get tangled, causing the dog to suffer!
So, how do you take care of Shih Tzu in Winter so that they are protected? You should put them in jackets, take care of their diet, and keep them indoors because this hypothermic breed is more sensitive to temperature than normal dogs. Let’s learn all the Shih Tzu wintertime care tips you can adopt for your dog in Winter.
Picture Credit: Wallpapercave – Yandex
Whenever you adopt a Shih Tzu breed dog, remember that they need extra care in extreme cold and extreme heat seasons.
For the above reasons, Shih Tzu needs extra care in Winter!
When you know that the winter season is about to start, you should take some preventive measures for your furry fellow to protect him from the cold weather. For example, you can pay attention to his diet and create an environment for him that provides warmth and keeps his body warm. You can protect your dog from the cold by taking these steps.
Winter season becomes chilly for Shih Tzu, so choose right clothing for your canine!
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| Jackets | Purchase a high-quality, leather waterproof jacket that fits exactly on the Shih Tzu body. |
| Sweaters | Sweaters are perfect partners for Toy breed canines in the cold season. Must prefer to purchase high-density wool sweaters with caps or without sleeves. |
| Caps | You may choose wool caps for the canine to protect him from the cold breeze. |
| Booties | As the paw of a Shih Tzu slips in ice, choose waterproof, high-resistance, low-friction booties for canines so they can perform some outdoor activities easily! |
Warm bedding is a great way to improve your shih tzu’s sleep.
Picture Credit: Ruimages – Yandex
Picture Credit: Youtube – Yandex
How We Can Heat a Dog’s Living Space: Of course, I have a few solutions that you can use to heat your little dog’s living space so that he can cope with winter weather well. As use:
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Picture Credit: Pupvine – Yandex
As these small breed dogs get sick very quickly from the cold, pet parents should greatly reduce their outdoor exposure to about five to ten minutes. Try to dress them up properly even if you take them out, and choose the part of the day that is hot; don’t take them out at night. If your dog gets sick, definitely contact your veterinarian.
The best way to protect dogs from the cold is to give adjusted diet for Winter, such as:
Foods For Shih Tzu in Winter:
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Picture Credit: Dailymail – Yandex
As mentioned earlier, dogs’ hair grows by about two inches every month in Winter, so their grooming needs increase in Winter compared to summer. So, by following some grooming tips, let’s make grooming fun!
| Coat and fur care | In Winter, as dogs grow more hair, which makes them more prone to tangles, try to use the best dog shampoo and conditioner that removes dirt and grime from your dog’s hair and protects you from skin rash. |
| Bathing and drying technique |
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| Nails care | Take proper care of your nails. Trim them regularly with electric clippers. |
| Paw pad protection | Apply paw oil or wax on dog paws to soothe their feet and reduce inflammation caused by ice or salt. |
Here are a few health concerns that become prominent in Shih Tzu during the cold season:
This condition occurs when the dog’s body temperature drops below normal. Shivering fever and flu are common symptoms, so keep your dog warm and avoid cold temperatures.
When your dog’s body temperature drops below 4.4 degrees Celsius, there is definitely a risk of frostbite, which badly affects your dog’s ears, paws, and tail. Other symptoms include slobbery thinking, shoring wakefulness, and unconsciousness. If symptoms are present, keep your dog warm with blankets, give good food, and, in case of any problems, refer to the veterinarian.
Because of their elongated soft palates, these small breed dogs have many respiratory issues, such as brachycephalic syndrome.
Shih tzu joint and bone disease is the most common arthritis in dogs, and bone pain worsens in the Winter, so keep your dog warm and apply joint health supplements or creams to reduce pain.
Picture Credit: Pupvine – Yandex
If these small breed dogs do not perform activities, their weight increases, and at the same time, the risk of obesity and diabetes also increases. So we cannot save our dog from a complete cold in Winter, but we can definitely winterize Shih Tzu to provide him with a safe outdoor play environment through some exercises and outdoor activities.
In the winter season, outdoor activities are completely avoided, and the dog becomes sluggish and lethargic and also suffers from anxiety and depression due to the cold. Of course, some behavioral adjustments and mental stimulation should be made. Let’s give your dog a better way to spend the Winter with a few tips!
| Behavioral adjustments | Mental stimulation |
| Manage stress | Sensory play |
| Cozy Play | Tricky games |
| Set-up routine | Interactive toy playing |
| Give attention and love |
Finally, the winter season will surely be a little tough for your dog, but by following these shih tzu winter care tips, choosing the best clothes for your dog, keeping his living space warm, and adjusting the best nutrition diet for him and increasing his exercise routine, you can get your dog to cope up with the cold season.
In Winter, take extra care of his grooming and focus on helping him in case of joint or bone problems. Due to flu and cold fever, check with your veterinarian. Visit our website for more information!
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