5 Ways to Winterize Your Dog

Humans aren’t the only creatures to notice the recent drop in temperatures. That furry little pooch you call your best friend feels it, too, and Fido might just need a new winter coat.

Ruth Richards, owner of in Royal Oak, invented the Richards Harness Coat for her Maltese dogs, Sophia and Luigi.

“I discovered Maltese dogs don’t have an undercoat,” she said. “In the summertime, they can get a sunburn; in the rain, they get all matted up; and in the winter, they get too cold.”

Richards said she was watching Oprah Winfrey one day and the talk show host said, “Well, if there is ever anything you need, you should figure out a way to market it and put a patent on it.”

Richards, a seamstress, said a “ding” went off in her head, and she started making coats for her dogs that would not harm their tracheas (the coats are made with a built-in harness, so a collar is not needed) and are designed to custom-fit any dog up to 200 pounds. She sells the coats in a variety of fabrics and sizes at her Main Street store.

In addition to dog coats, Richards carries dog and cat supplies, Blue Buffalo dog food and an assortment of (people) gifts for the pet lover in your life.

She recommends five ways to make your dog comfortable this winter:

No. 1: Dog Coats

Through the centuries, as dogs evolved into house pets, they stopped growing full undercoats to protect them in the wintertime. That makes a fabric coat essential, Richards said.

“Humans stand erect, so we lose our heat out of our head,” Richards said. “Dogs stand on all fours, so they lose the majority of their heat from their backs. So when you cover up a dog’s back, you are keeping them warmer.”

Price: $21.95 (fits a 3- to 5-pound dog) up to $64.95 (fits a 200-pound dog).

No. 2: Nail Clipping

Trimmed nails help your dog stay dry and safe, Richards said.

“When your dog's nails are long, they absorb more moisture and (deicing) salts in their paws,” Richards said. “Salt can really hurt a dog’s pads.”

Price: Richards offers $10 nail clips from 4-7 p.m. every Wednesday.

No. 3: Pet-Friendly Ice Melter

Richards sells Paw Thaw to protect your pet’s paws and prevent slips and falls. It’s safe for concrete, patios and grass. It’s effective to 18 degrees below zero.

“What’s nice about it, is it is made with something that doesn’t burn paws,” Richards said.

Price: $13.98 for a 25-pound bag.

No. 4: Dog Boots

“My little dogs' pads are so tender, it’s like the equivalent of people walking on their fingertips,” Richards said. “Their pads are about as thin as our skin. If it is cold enough, my dogs' feet can actually freeze to the ground.”

Muttluks is a popular brand of dog boots that Richards carries in her shop. They are used for sled dogs in Canada.

Boots prevent damage to dogs' paws, but Richards warns that a dog has to be trained as a pup to wear boots. Otherwise, Richards said, good luck keeping them on.

“Your dog needs them but will probably kick and kick until he can get them off,” she said.

Price: $27-$28 a set.

No. 5: Elk Antlers

To keep your four-legged friend stimulated this winter, Richards suggests buying your dog an elk, deer or moose antler to chew on.

Antlers don’t splinter and get hung up in a dog’s intestines, she said. They contain natural ingredients, so they are both safe and good for your dog.

Dogs grind them down very slowly, so they can last a very long time, Richards said.

Price: $5.95-$42 (depending on size).

The Community Pet Store, 601 N. Main St., is open from 10 a.m.-7 p.m. Tuesday-Saturday. It offers delivery for a small charge. Call 248-546-7422 for more information.