The first cold snap rarely announces itself. One day it's still mild autumn weather, then the thermometer drops overnight and the morning walk suddenly feels like winter. If you only dig out the gear at that point, you often notice: last year's coat is too tight, the blanket really needs washing and the bed is still right next to the balcony door. That's why it's worth getting your dog ready for winter now, while there is still time. This checklist takes you through the most important points at a relaxed pace.
The sleeping spot: warm, draught-free and off the cold floor
In winter, the sleeping spot becomes the most important place in a dog's life. Check the location first: is the bed in a walkway, right next to an outside door or on a floor that noticeably cools down? Then move it a few metres before the cold weeks begin. Draughts at floor level are easy to underestimate, because we humans don't feel them at sofa height. Hold your hand for a few minutes where your dog sleeps, and you'll know more.
An extra layer insulates against the cold floor and is easy to wash. A soft Schmeicheldecke blanket (from CHF 9.95, in three sizes from 40x60 to 80x100 cm) can go in the bed, on the sofa or serve as a spare blanket for the car. Ideally, wash the bed and blankets now, so everything is fresh before your dog needs them every day in winter.
The coat check: try it on now, not at the first frost
Not every dog needs a coat. Sturdy breeds with a dense undercoat usually manage perfectly well without one. Short-haired dogs without an undercoat, older animals and low-built dogs whose belly hovers just above the cold ground, on the other hand, are glad of a warming layer. As a dachshund, our Vico belongs to the last group: short legs, long back, not much clearance from the ground.
If your dog already wore a coat last winter, try it on now. Does it still fit without pulling or slipping? Are the Velcro fastenings and seams intact? If you need a new one, measure your dog standing up: back length from the base of the neck to the base of the tail, plus neck and chest girth. For dachshunds and other short-legged, long-bodied dogs we have the CozyDachs winter coat (from CHF 39.95) in our range: cut with a long back and short leg openings, water-repellent and windproof on the outside, lined with soft fleece on the inside, available in beige and navy blue in sizes S to L. You'll find the size chart with measurements and weight guidelines directly on the product page.
Allow a few days for your dog to get used to it, too. Let your dog wear the coat briefly around the home first, with treats and without any fuss. By the time the first frost arrives, putting it on will long since be routine.
Don't forget paws and claws
Cold, wet and later road salt put more strain on the paws than summer ground does. Check the claw length now and, on long-haired dogs, carefully trim the hair between the pads a little, otherwise clumps of ice and snow form there. Get into the habit of taking a quick look at the paws after every walk and rinsing them with lukewarm water if needed once the roads are salted. If the pads are cracked or red for an extended period, have them checked at the veterinary practice.
Adjusting the routine: shorter days, shorter walks
With the cold snap, walks shift too. The big walk will soon fall at dusk, so check your light-up collar and reflectors for function and batteries in good time. On really cold days the rule is: better several shorter walks than one long one that leaves your dog chilled, and keep moving in between rather than waiting for ages at the side of the path. Everything else for the cold season, from winter coats to blankets, is gathered in our Winter & cold collection.
How to tell that your dog is cold
No amount of preparation replaces watching your own dog. Shivering, a hunched posture, lifted paws or pulling towards the front door are clear signs that it is cold. We've described in detail how to recognise these signs reliably and what helps in our article Is my dog cold?.
Frequently asked questions
At what temperature does my dog need a coat?
There is no fixed number of degrees; size, coat and age vary too much for that. Watch your dog: if it shivers, tenses up or wants to get home noticeably fast, it is too cold for it. Small, short-haired and older dogs need a coat much sooner than large dogs with a dense undercoat.
Should I put the sleeping spot right next to the radiator in winter?
Better not. Right next to the radiator, many dogs get too warm and their skin dries out. Ideal is a draught-free spot in the usual room, slightly raised or with an insulating layer against the cold floor, with enough distance from the heat source.
Can my dog eat snow in winter?
Better not. Larger amounts of snow can irritate the stomach, and then there is road salt and grit that get caught in the snow. If your dog likes to drink on the go, take water along on winter walks instead, and distract it from snapping at snow with a game.
