Puppies and senior dogs both have relatively weak physical resistance. If they encounter winter, they are more prone to illness, which can even cause death. Therefore, owners must take extra care of puppies and senior dogs in winter to help them get through this severe cold season healthily!

Great Pyrenees

　　1. Cold Protection and Warmth

　　Puppies are intolerant to cold; low temperatures can easily cause them to freeze to death. For gradually aging senior dogs, warmth is especially important. As soon as the temperature drops sharply, especially during cold winter and night times, senior dogs become very sensitive and may tremble all over from the cold. Therefore, the key in winter for puppies and senior dogs is to ensure proper cold protection and warmth. Specific measures are as follows:

　　In winter, puppies generally should have a dog bed padded with felt, soft straw, etc., and the bedding needs frequent changing and airing to keep it dry. For senior dogs, a hot water bottle can be placed inside the doghouse, provided your pet has no history of damaging items recklessly.

　　Sunbathing puppies not only helps them warm up, but ultraviolet rays in sunlight also disinfect and sterilize. Sunlight aids calcium absorption, promoting bone growth and preventing rickets. Therefore, on sunny and warm days, let puppies sunbathe more and exercise to strengthen their physique and increase disease resistance. Obviously, sunbathing also benefits senior dogs in many ways.

　　In winter, dog clothes are best chosen in pure cotton to reduce static electricity; when walking dogs, put on a warm coat and shorten walk times. Try to avoid exposing them to cold winds and harsh rain. If the weather is really bad, simply cancel the walk. After the walk, promptly remove the dog's clothes to reduce the impact of temperature differences.

　　2. Diet Regulation:

　　1. Puppy Diet: About one week after weaning, the formula for feed remains the same as during lactation supplementation, then gradually transitions. About two weeks after weaning, puppy feed can be used.

　　A stable daily schedule promotes puppy growth and reduces illness. Puppy feed should be fine and given on a fixed schedule, in small frequent meals, each feeding only 70% full to keep puppies' strong appetite and digestion.

　　2. Senior Dog Diet: Senior dogs have reduced digestive ability and dulled sense of smell, often becoming picky eaters. In this case, owners should focus on both flavor and nutrition when preparing dog food and must not let the aged pets take advantage by being fussy.

　　Intake of rich nutrition, especially protein and calcium, is necessary. You can properly increase meat, fish, eggs, vegetables, etc. in their menu, and pay attention to supplementing vitamins A and calcium. Avoid adding too much salt, fat, or bones in the food. Because metabolism slows in winter, feeding easily digestible food is better.

　　Feeding methods include small frequent meals to reduce the senior dog's gastrointestinal burden and ensure adequate nutrition absorption. Also, don’t forget to always provide clean drinking water for your pet.

　　3. Deworming and Disease Prevention

　　Winter is a high-incidence season for canine infectious diseases, especially canine distemper and parvovirus, which are harmful to dogs. To avoid occurrence and spread, thorough deworming and disinfection of feeding bowls, equipment, doghouses, and environments are necessary to eliminate sources of infection, cut transmission routes, and strengthen dogs’ immunity.

　　Puppies are usually dewormed at 20-25 days old and then once a month afterwards. Feces and worms after deworming should be centrally collected and composted to avoid environmental contamination and infecting other dogs. Senior dogs also need regular deworming, generally once every three months.

　　In winter, be cautious to prevent low-resistance senior dogs from catching diseases or colds, which are difficult to quickly cure. The best method is to reduce contact with other dogs and outdoor activities.