As Boston’s low January temperatures are exacerbated by powerful winds and weekly snowfall, the city’s community has greatly considered how to best dress their dogs. With the added dangers of icy streets and salted sidewalks, winter preparation is an increasing concern among dog owners who are mindful of their pets’ safety and well-being during the colder months.
“We buy coats. We buy wax for their feet, because not all the salt is dog-friendly,” said Ali Tapper, a local dog mom with a 2-year-old blue Merle corgi named Kyva. Although most dog parents stop at winter coats to best protect their pets, Tapper also considers how commercial snow and ice management products can harm her furry friend’s paws, which may already be at risk due to seasonal dryness and cracking.
Dog boots are also on the radar for many dog owners, but footwear is an unpopular form of protection because it is difficult for pets to acclimate to and move around in.
“Some dogs have booties. [Kyva] will not cooperate on that one,” Tapper said.
For compliant dogs, boots are a good resource against paw irritation and temperature sensitivity, preventing chemical burns from de-icing agents and frostbite from harsh weather conditions.
Winter also poses the problem of dog safety in the dark, with temperatures dropping to single digits and fewer daylight hours.
“When we come out here at night, there’s no lights or anything, so all the dogs wear light-up collars,” said Alex Miller, a three-year Boston resident with a pit bull-labrador mix named Maxwell. Maxwell sat at Miller’s side, relishing the snow beneath him and flashing his bright blue winter coat, perfect for the early-year snowfall.
Miller expressed concern for the lack of nighttime visibility at the Back Bay Fens, a public park frequented by the Fenway-Kenmore crowd. During the winter, low lighting at popular parks, including the Fens and Boston Common, increases opportunities for hidden hazards and can make it difficult to spot dangers on the ground. Glowing collars have helped keep dogs visible during the darker, shorter days of the season. It allows owners to locate their fluffy companions and ensure their safety even if they wander off in an off-leash area.
Dog parents are especially vigilant of their walking routes and outdoor play spaces during this time of year, as snow and ice can conceal common threats such as broken glass, wildlife or harmful substances. This, coupled with worries about dim park conditions, further supports dog boots as an essential accessory for the frosty Boston winters.
However, for every dog in the Boston area seen prancing around in wintry outfits, another remains protected through their natural thick coats, large stature or Arctic background.
“The lab [is] never scared of the cold. … [The] lab is very durable,” said Lin Lin, a Boylston Street resident who’s been taking care of her yellow Labrador, Meimei, for the past six years. Lin said she doesn’t worry about Meimei in the wintertime, even in Boston, where temperatures are often below or around 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
As a yellow lab, Meimei is better equipped for the cold because of her thick, water-resistant double coat, which shields her from rainy and cool conditions. Her large frame also retains heat better than smaller breeds, so what may seem like coat-necessary conditions for one dog can be easily tolerable for another.
The choice of winter gear for pets ultimately depends on a dog’s age, health, breed and sensitivity to the cold. Whether one prepares their dogs in insulated jackets or relies on natural adaptations, the goal remains the same for all dog owners: to ensure that their pets can enjoy the frosty season with comfort and protection in mind.
