Walking your dog in winter can pose a number of risks that inexperienced dog owners often choose to ignore.
As for humans, ice on water bodies poses a danger to dogs in winter. Many animals' favorite pastime of swinging in the snow should also alert the owner.
In an interview with Moslenta , the head of the Russian Cynological Federation, Vladimir Golubev, named the worst options.
Ice
The dog handler was among the first to call it dangerous to walk a pet near water bodies. Especially if it is a pond or a backwater of a river where ducks spend the winter.
When letting a dog run free, the owner might not think that the pet will rush after birds on the ice.
Usually at this time of year ducks choose places with non-freezing water.
The dog may fall into the water if the ice is thin, or slip, which can also lead to injury.
Snow
Dogs' habits of swimming in snowdrifts are endearing, but in unfamiliar places it is better to restrain your pet from doing this.
There may be a hole, construction debris, or glass under the snow.
Heating main
The next dangerous route is a walk near heating mains.
An animal can pick up ticks and other parasites here at any time of the year.
In addition, the heat source attracts stray dogs, which consider this territory theirs and can behave aggressively.
