need to adjustments
*This shop has been compensated by Collective Bias, Inc. and its advertiser. All opinions are mine alone. #RecipesWithPurpose #CollectiveBias
Fall has officially began at the end of last week. The days are getting shorter. It still is on the warmer side here. But make no mistake the colder weather will be here before we know. Nobody is more unhappy about that prospect than me.
However, there is no fighting it. Therefore, I am preparing for myself, my family and even our dog.
Trust me dogs also need to adjust to the different seasons. Just as I do certain things to get our dog ready for the warmer weather, I do similar for the fall/wintertime.
If you have a four legged dog friend in your family, then you’ll want to read on…
5 Cold Weather Care Tips for Your Dog
1. Grooming your dog.
We have a a golden retriever, who most definitely sheds with each new season. Our dog happens to have different fur for different seasons. In the last few weeks, our house is covered in cotton ball-like hair balls. Plus, our dog literally has clumps of this same cotton ball fur that easily sticks out ready to be pulled off if given the right moment. I am not joking I could literally make a new dog from the amount of fur that comes off her body right now.
By why is this happening? Our girl is shedding her summer lighter fur to make room for her winter heavier fur coat. While I brush her pretty much daily. This is unavoidable at this time. So a good grooming is necessary to help eliminate this fur to make room for the next season’s fur. See this new fur will keep her warm during the coldest and snowiest of days here now.
2. Make hay while the sun shines.
Dogs need to be active no matter the season. So for that reason, your dog still needs to go outdoors even in the cold weather. Therefore, the best time for them to be outside for prolonged periods of time is when it is sunny out. This is usually best mid-day when the sun is at its highest point in the sky. Plus, sunshine brings the added benefit of providing your dog with vitamin D.
3. Still indoors is mostly where it is at.
It is no secret that when the temperatures drops, I prefer indoors to stay warm. Well if I am indoors mostly, so is my dog. Why? Because she is happiest when she is spending time with me, as well as our family. So even though your dog does need to go outdoors, don’t keep them outside long drown out periods. And remember to give them plenty of indoor love and attention, too.
4. Feed them healthy portions.
Even though they still are getting outdoors, let’s face it dogs are still not as active in the real cold weather. Therefore, they need fewer calories. So, keep this in mind during feeding time. Still dogs need an extra layer in winter. But make sure it comes from their fur coat, not a layer of fat. So with your dog’s lower activity level, adjust his calories accordingly. Plus a high quality, dog food ensures a healthy coat and good energy for the cold winter months.
Therefore, we “Fuel the Wag” for our dog right now with Nature’s Recipe dry dog food. Nature’s Recipe dry dog food has a 35-year history of premium recipes that have also high quality ingredients.
Plus they offer Grain Free Options, as well as no corn or wheat or soy (for Grain Free only executions).
And added bonus, Nature’s Recipe is now new to mass grocery stores. See it was previously only sold in pet specialty stores. So, now I buy it while I am grocery shopping for my family at my local Stop and Shop.
So easy and convenient not having to store hop in the colder weather months!
5. Cold weather is the time for cozy bedding for all.
Let’s face it, many colder weather mornings I don’t want to get out from the warm covers in my bed. If I feel that way, I am pretty sure my dog feels similar. So, cozy bedding is just a must for all in the family, including our dog. But dog beds aren’t cheap by any means. Have you ever shopped for dog beds? Plus, our dog enjoys chewing on the fabric of her dog bed. No joke I used to buy expensive dog bed only to throw it in the garbage replacing it in less than a month’s time, because of this.
You can also sew perfect bedding for your dog as a way of cutting cost. While DIY up cycled no sew dog pillow is a great idea, it doesn’t mean you are limited and can’t do more for your dog.
If you have a sewing machine for upholstery, you can easily customize the bed choosing your color combinations and patterns based on your dog’s personality and overall home décor.
The process is simple and with just some sewing skills you can do it or get tutorials online to help you get started.
[clickToTweet tweet=”With cold weather coming make a DIY no sew pillow for your dog + more tips #RecipesWithPurpose #ad” quote=”With cold weather coming make a DIY no sew pillow for your dog + more tips #RecipesWithPurpose #ad” theme=”style1″]
Therefore I have had to get creative to keep the costs down, but to keep our dog comfortable, too. How have I done this? By making an DIY Up Cycled No Sew Dog Pillow for own dog. This DIY dog bed is not only inexpensive to make, but easy, too. So read on now to find out how to make your own below now…
DIY Up-Cycled No Sew Dog Pillow
Supplies for DIY Up Cycled No Sew Dog Pillow
- Old Pillow
- Fabric Remnant Big Enough to Cover the Dog Pillow (preferably dog themed)
- Scissors
Instructions for DIY Up Cycled No Sew Dog Pillow
- First, locate an old pillow in your home.
- Next, cut two pieces of your fabric remnant that are about 6 inches longer than the pillow on each side.
- Then, with your scissors cut one inch strips on all sides of the fabric.
- Next up, begin to tie knots with fabric strips eventually tying all to enclose the dog pillow inside.
- Now, let your dog enjoy their new DIY Up Cycled No Sew Dog Pillow!
Seana Turner says
I’ve done a similar project making blankets for kids, but never thought about making a giant dog pillow. Great idea!
Janine says
I love the blanket idea, too. And may have to try that for the winter time for my own girls here. Thanks for sharing, Seana!! 🙂
Meredith Spidel says
Too cute! I so want to make this for my pooches now! 🙂
Janine says
Thanks Meredith and hope you can make soon for your pooches, too now 🙂
J. Ivy Boyter says
We got lucky and scored a dog pillow when a friend was getting rid of stuff. But, what a fabulous idea!! I have some old pillows I don’t even like to give our guests, so this would be awesome ?
P.S. – our dog is on grain free food because she had stomach issues on regular food ? I like that more pet foods are aware of these issues!!
Janine says
Thanks and I know what you mean about the older pillows. Seriously perfect for this. Also with you on the grain free pet food awareness now, as well 🙂
Melanie says
I have a golden retriever, and they definitely need special care when it comes to their coats! This DIY Dog Pillow is a great thing to prep for the winter months. #client
Janine says
Love hearing that you have a golden, too. And I agree totally about their coats. Thanks for sharing with me, too!! 🙂
Jen says
I love no sew pillows and blankets, and it looks like sweet Elsa does too. Great tips! I think our little Eddie might depart this world in snow like that. He is a desert dog through and through!
Janine says
Aw, Jen Eddie would never last here. But then again, I am not a winter girl and would love being a dessert girl myself through and through, too!! 🙂
AnnMarie John says
I’ve done similar projects for the kids but never for my pets. BTW those are great tips and oh so true. My dogs used to love Natures Recipe but I think they’ve now gotten so used to it that they now want something different so I’ve been feeding them another brand which they just love, but Natures Recipe is great!
Janine says
AnnMarie, thank you for sharing this with me and I hear you about how great Nature’s Recipe is, too 🙂
Mary says
I need to do a lot more Upcycling. Instead of through stuff away or giving it away way not do a cool upcycling craft. I don’t have a dog but if I did I would only want to feed it the best foods, so I love this post ☺ I hope to take the plunge and get a dog sometime soon. What a cute dogy pillow
Janine says
Aw, thanks Mary and I hope you can get a dog soon too to try this food and pillow craft out, too 🙂
William Holland says
Well, we have a new puppy! Hmmm! I’ll bet she would love this idea. I’ll go ask her and find out.
Thanks for the great DIY project. I’ll bet I could do this one.
Happy Thursday my friend!
Janine says
Bill, I think you totally could make this pillow for your new puppy! Seriously so easy and also inexpensive. You could probably even say frugal 😉 Happy Thursday right back at you, my friend!! 🙂
Aunt Gloria says
Ella is such a cute model! What a great idea for the DIY pillow….I may make one for myself! Have fun picking apples. xxoo
Janine says
Aw, thanks Aunt Gloria and Elsa definitely did her best modeling here for sure 🙂 xoxo
Tamara says
Awww.. Athena would love her own pillow!
Also, we use this dog food! Athena was having some stomach trouble so we had to wean her off the old stuff and onto this.
Janine says
Aw, hope you can make this pillow for Athena and I agree about this brand being gentler on dogs’ stomach issues, too.
Nellie says
I think I just want to make a general pillow for myself, this is such a fun project! Thanks so much for sharing.
Janine says
Nellie, this could totally be an awesome way to make a lounging pillow for yourself, too!! 🙂