About yorkies and winter, please help!!
 

Hi, ive been a while in the forums bur well this is my first post. I currently live in Venezuela (for those who dont know where it is, its in south america, average temp. 25-32 degrees celsius all year round). I own a 1 year old yorkie and he has never been anywhere with cold weather before, the coldest he has been is in my room with air conditioner. Im posting because i am moving to Canada in december, you guys know how cold it is durimg winter so my question is what should i do? Buy? Take in cosideration so my baby spends his first winter as warm/safe/confty as possible? Im considering byuing him a rain coat, jacket, boots and tons of blankets, he sleeps With and spends the majority of the day home, the only moment he will be in the cold is while going to the bathroom/walk/play twice a day, the rest ofthe day he is with me home. Please guys i need your help, and if any of you know a GREAT vet in the toronto area please let me know all i want is the very best for my baby boy, he is 2.5kg
Thanx a looot and great page
:)Xoxo
Erii!

Well, your little guy and you are in for a temperature shock! I live in the north east US, have had dogs all my life, but I found out that Yorkies do not have undercoats and they do tend to get cold easily.

Homes in the north tend to have drafty or just plain cold floors and since these little ones are so close to the floor they feel the cold more than we do. Gracie has a long coat but it is not enough to keep her warm when it is chilly. I have gotten her sweater dresses to keep her warm when she gets chilly inside. I also got her some socks for when her feet get cold. She has her winter coats for outside. Some people have purchased shoes or boots for their dogs but I have not found that necessary. I just avoid any salted sidewalks or streets. Salt can be very painful on the dog's feet. They do sell a brand that is harmless to animals but most people don't use it. I don't live in town so it's not much of an issue for us.

When you look at sweaters think about going up a size if you can when you order. They tend to be tight and many times shrink when washed.
I sometimes use a heating pad for my knee and found that Gracie is very attracted to it. I also have an electric throw that I keep on low for her when she seems uncomfortable. She is a heat seeker. I hope you are well prepared for the winter. Depending on where you live you may want to think about what you would do during an extended electricity outage. Ice storms have been brutal the last few years and they can put the power out for days. Hopefully, you won't have that issue but it is something to think about. I hope you have a happy and successful move.

gracielove makes several good points. I personally don't have any Rain repelling apparel. Wetness is one of the most effective avenues to hypothermia, so, I just don't take my guys out when it's cold and raining.

Cold floors are uncomfortable in any area for our little guys, and though I do have a lot of Carpet, I use an inexpensive (fluffy type) bathroom mats for them to lay on, just puts another layer of insulation between them and the cold floor. One of those and a nice fluffy blanket will get the job done.

But, in the extreme, they do make (Doggy dedicated) very low wattage Electric Pads, which you can lay under a Bed or Mat, to give additional heat.

I have muttluk boots and sunpaw snowsuits for my wee buggers and chilly dog jumpers. I have friends who's yorkies always seem to feel the chill so it depends on the dog really. I even knitted wee earwarmer scarves but Teegy haaaates that. I also cut the cuffs off an old fleece jacket to make a kind of head sleeve for the colder days.
You don't have much to worry about if you are in Toronto. Now Montreal that's a whole other situation it's cooooooold there

My Teddy tends to get cold easily. A coat keeps him warm outside, but he does like to keep his outings shorter during the winter. Inside, I give him one of my comforters on the couch. He is fine when moving around. Some dogs do better wearing clothing indoors too, especially if they have a puppy haircut/shorter hair.

I just pm'd you a bunch of links to stuff you can find in toronto

East york animal clinic at St. Clair and O'Connor. Where are you located ?

Hiiiii!! , thanks a lot for your help :D , i'm filling up the shopping carts so i can pay for alll the stuff i bought for my baby, im sure he will spend his first winter warm and cozy thanks to all of you :) once again thanks a looooot!!!

Teegy, im not sure where in toronto i will be renting :( all i know is that all the apartments ive looked at are in the downtown area and pet friendly, wich by the way are extremeley hard to find xP

Thanks!!
 

Thanks a looot it was very helpfull :) :animal-pa

As cold as it gets here mine dont wear coats but they dont go out for walks when its real cold either just go out to go potty real quick

chachi,

HA, just noticed your Avatars, one of your little ones on the Potty, and another in a little Car...

VERY CUTE ! :thumbup: :thumbup:

Toronto Vet Bloorcourt Veterinary Clinic They are on Bloor St W at Dufferin St. Dr Jack Gewarter. Also they are right on the subway line which is covenient. You can take your dogs on subways wkdays between 10 and 3pm And any time Sat or Sunday.

Winter Jacket for sure, and I like mukluks booties.

Welcome to TO!