Winter Care for Yorkies
 

Hi there
I am a new dog owner of a cute and very cuddly 6 month old male yorkie. Rexx weighs about 5 pounds now... and given that we live in Ottawa, Canada... winter can be real tough...

Wondering if anyone has any tips or warning about winter care of this particular breed of puppies...

As I am a new mommy to Rexx, any suggestions and info is appreciated.. also.. does anyone know of a website I can read more about winter pet care?

Thanks in advance
Mrs.Strombo.

Yorkies can get cold very fast! Make sure you keep a hoodie for him to wear around the house, and I would reccomend a winter jacket too for outside. Don't leave him outside too long either. Also, boots are good too because it's not fun getting frozen snow/ice out of the hair on yorkies' legs.

Well I live in Minnesota so we have some pretty cold winters here. I have sweaters and jackets for Tucker. I will not be getting him groomed until next spring besides some trimming of the face and the sanitary areas. I shovel an area outside so he doesn't have to go through the snow so he can do his business. When I bring him in I dry his paws off. I know they also have booties you can get for them.

Don't automatically assume he is a wimp. If I bundle mine up warm enough they head out and roll in the snow. I have to keep a towel by the door...

Potty train NOW so that he learns to make quick trips outside. Mine run out there and pee and come right back. Coats that cover the belly are better than the ones that just velcro at the chest and belly. THESE are my favorite. Gooby makes good coats too.

Ha, I'm obsessed with winter care for Yorkies. I could go on for days, but I'll try to boil to down to the things I find most helpful.

1. Booties when there's snow on the ground. Get the simplest ones you can find or make. A fleece sack with velcro on the top works great. Or anything waterproof that isn't too slippery. You can get some ideas at Dog Booties.

Your dog will likely revolt when you try to put them on, so start slow. Be satisfied with a few steps, then treat. Eventually lengthen the time.

2. Fleece coats. They don't have to be especially heavy, just enough to give them a little extra insulation.

3. Windbreaker. For extreme cold, I'll put something nylon on over the fleece. It cuts the wind.

4. Misc.: I always pack down an area to a favorite pee spot after a fresh snow. On walks in fresh snow, I wear snowshoes and walk ahead of them. Also, don't let them dawdle on walks. Keep up the pace so their body heat keeps them warm.

I take mine on walks 365 days a year with temps as low as -5 F. My 10-pounder never wants to go back in the house. Occasionally, my 4-pounder starts to shiver, and I'll immediately put him in my coat or a fleece carrier that I have.

Good luck!

:thumbup::thumbup::thumbup:

Great tips, but I got to say, I love the idea of you putting the little fellow under your coat when he starts to shiver, what a good daddy.

Yeah we shovel a spot too! I'm sure the neighbors think we are crazy shoveling the yard, but hey whatever ya gotta do.

Those are great tips. I can't add anything to them since we don't have snow or very cold temps...........well maybe down into the 30's once or twice. I do take special care of their coat since winter tends to dry skin and hair out so bad. I give them hot oil treatments before the bath, then I add a tablespoon of Vegetable Glycerine to their conditioner. It keeps them from scratching due to dry skin. ;) NOW Foods - Vegetable Glycerine - 16 oz. (Edible)