8 Must-Have Items for Walking Your Dog in a Winter Wonderland

Brace yourself, winter is coming…and it’s high time you started gearing up with everything you need to make the most out of your winter dog walking experience. The colder months of the year provide their own set of opportunities and challenges, but with a little preparation, you and your dog can still enjoy plenty of outdoor activities until the spring thaw arrives.

How to Pack for a Walk in a Winter Wonderland

1. Warm, Weather Resistant Jacket: When trekking through an idyllic snowbound landscape, it’s important to make sure your furry friend is comfortable and well-insulated. The ultimate warmer for dogs ($79-$240) is specifically designed to meet the needs of working dogs operating in cold climates and provides a waterproof layer to help keep your dog warm and dry on your extended winter jaunts.
2. Flexible Flyer Snowball Maker: Ditch the tennis ball and let Mother Nature provide for your fetch-and-retrieval needs. The snowball maker ($5) makes perfectly round snowballs in a jiffy that your dog will happily chase after all day long. As an added benefit, you’ll always be prepared for a snowball ambush while out on the trail.
3. Microfiber Pet Towels: Don’t get caught off-guard when all the fluffy snow your dog accumulates melts into a messy puddle. Pack a few microfiber pet towel ($13-$18) for an easy way to absorb all the excess wetness before you both pack it in for the day.
4. Dog Boots: Sure, not every dog appreciates the virtues of a good bootie, but the fact remains that the Ruffwear polar trex booties ($100 set of four) are engineered to provide the additional warmth and traction your dog sorely needs when spending an extended period of time on snow and ice.
5. Collapsible Dog Bowl: Even though you’re literally surrounded by frozen water, you still need to make sure your dog doesn’t get dehydrated while you’re out enjoying the winter weather. The Canine Hardware hydro bowl ($8) is a collapsible water bowl that you can easily attach to your dog’s leash or throw in your day pack for a convenient way to give your dog a quick water break.
6. LED Safety Collar: With the possibility of inclement weather and changing conditions, it’s important that you keep a close eye on your dog. Take a lesson from Danish search-and-rescue teams and equip your dog’s collar with an LED collar light ($6) that is waterproof, impact resistant, and visible up to three miles away.
7. Antler Headband: What better accessory is there for enjoying a walk in a winter wonderland than a fun and festive antler headband($6) for your dog?
8. Heated Dog Bed: When you come home after a successful winter outing, cozy up to the fire and reward your dog with a heated pet bed ($28-$35) that they can spend the rest of the day peacefully lounging in.

And that’s it! With the proper gear and some helpful tips on keeping your dog safe, you should be all set to get out there and enjoy that winter weather. So hit the trails together—or find an awesome dog walker—and enjoy the season.

 
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