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Dog days of winter Baxter, a bichon frise, sprints through the snow at Lithia Park. [Mail Tribune File Photo] Friday Feb 16, 2018 at 6:08 AM Mark Freeman Mail Tribune @MTwriterFreeman JACKSONVILLE — A cold, foggy morning is no deterrent for Sue Buti and her shepherd-husky mix, Sadie, to spend their Tuesday morning strolling the paths of the Jacksonville Woodlands. What dog doesn't want to go for a walk? "I know she'd never say no to a walk," says Buti, of Jacksonville. But the hairy 7-year-old dog might want to say yes to a doggie aspirin before the trek, some small trailside snacks to ward off hypoglycemia, perhaps some foot pads to keep her paws from getting too cold or even some room-temperature water to keep her hydrated without chilling her out. "Those aren't things that I've thought of," Buti says. "I don't need water, so I don't think she needs water." Taking the family pet to hike or play in the cold or snow during the dog days of winter presents a series of potential pitfalls to canine health and wellness that can be avoided with a little planning and a lot of attention to ensure a happy experience for people and their best friends. The first thing veterinarian Steve Bernard of the Medford Animal Hospital warns most dog-owners is the need to treat their pets as if they are inviting to a hike their overweight and largely sedentary neighbor into the woods with them. Studies show 72 percent of dogs in the United States are overweight, and packing those extra pounds on the trail can be more taxing on their bodies than readily noticeable, Bernard says. "Don't go out on that 5- or 10-mile hike in the snow if they haven't been out before," says Bernard. "Work their way up to it. Make sure they're in shape, just like us." But unlike us, a 5-mile hike isn't necessarily a 5-mile hike to those that wander and roam along the trail. "A short walk for you may be a long walk for them," Bernard says. "While you're going on a 5-mile hike, they might be going on a 15-mile hike." That can lead to over-exertion and dehydration, which is why Grants Pass veterinarian Russ Codd recommends keeping room-temperature water handy as well as small, frequent snacks to prevent hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar, which causes a lack of fuel for muscles. Also, keep a close eye on dogs introduced to snow. "If they are not used to snow, watch for over-activity and excitement in the new environment, which can lead to exhaustion and possible hypothermia," Codd says. "Mostly it's common sense and not tying to do the Iditarod on your first day out." For dogs prone to overdoing it outside, Bernard suggests an over-the-counter anti-inflamatory before and after a foray into the snow would be just as helpful as it is for humans expecting to tax normally unused muscles. "It's good to preload them for that," Bernard says. Another possibility to consider is dog booties like those for sled dogs, which help protect even furry feet from freezing. Veterinarians say they are often asked about jackets, sweaters and other clothing for animals and whether they are helpful. While most owners of long-haired dogs like Buti's Sadie generally don't worry about cold, Codd warns that most of the short-haired breeds do not do as well in the cold due to lack of a good hair coat, and smaller breeds have a higher susceptibility to hypothermia. Just like with humans, the quality and makeup of a coat or sweater goes a long way in determining how effective it will be against cold, wet weather. Waterproof or resistant coats work best. As for that nifty sweater-vest your grandmother knitted for your dachshund, slap it on for a photo but not for a hike. "Coats and sweaters are useful if they have some degree of waterproofing, otherwise it's like being draped with a freezing blanket," Codd says. Even large and hairy dogs, like Buti's Sadie, are not immune. While their bodies are warm, their noses, ear tips and genitals can be targets of frostbite — a cold fact often overlooked. "With her breed and hair, I guess she's made for being in the cold," Buti says. "But you never think about frostbitten noses." — Reach Mail Tribune reporter Mark Freeman at 541-776-4470 or [email protected]. Follow him on Twitter at www.twitter.com/MTwriterFreeman.