Out and about: how to be seen and keep clean

By Hannah Godfrey, BVetMed, MRCVS

Your dog still needs regular exercise during the wet and cold months to keep them fit and healthy. However, it’s important to be aware of the risks of walking in the dark or bad weather and prepare appropriately. The following tips will help to make walking more enjoyable and keep both you and your dog safe.

Taking your dog out for a walk or run regularly will help keep both of you in good shape. But it’s definitely easier to motivate yourself to get out and about in the warmer spring and summer months.

Now that winter is coming and the nights are drawing in, you might find yourself looking out at the darkness or unpleasant weather and wondering whether you can skip the walk just this once.

Of course, missing the odd walk won’t be detrimental to your dog, as long as you still take them out for toilet breaks, and if there’s extreme weather it’s definitely safer to give the walk a miss.

However, it’s essential to maintain an active routine for your dog whenever possible. When you do venture out, here are some tips to keep it safe and more enjoyable:

1. Check the forecast

If you can be flexible with when you walk your dog, check the forecast and try to avoid the worst weather. If the forecast shows a weather warning for wind, rain, or snow, or if there’s likely to be thunder and lightning, keep the walk short and do a longer walk when it’s safer.

2. Walk in daylight when you can

With work and other daytime commitments, it’s not always possible to get out for a walk with your dog in the daylight, particularly in the Winter when it gets dark early. However, it’s likely to be safer to walk in the daylight, so if you can, walk your dog earlier in the daytime rather than the evening or early morning.

3. Make sure people know where you are

Let a friend or family member know where you’re going and how long you’ll be. That way, if you don’t return home, they’ll know where to look.

4. Stay visible

If you’re going out in the dark, or if the visibility is poor due to bad weather, make sure you’re both visible – particularly if you’re walking near a road. Consider wearing a hi-vis jacket and putting a hi-vis harness or coat on your dog, too. If you’re doing a rural walk, wear a head torch to help you see where you’re going and put a light on your dog’s collar to help you keep an eye on them.

5. Dress for the weather

If it’s cold, make sure to wrap up warm with plenty of layers, and if you have a small or slender dog or the temperature’s really low, your dog will appreciate a coat as well! If it’s wet or muddy, waterproofs and wellies will help keep you clean and dry, and, again, a waterproof coat is a good idea if your dog is small or feels the cold easily.

6. Stick to the path

If you’re walking in the dark or in bad weather, it’s a good idea to stick to the path or pavement. Not only does it help reduce the risk of stumbles and falls, but it will also keep you cleaner.

7. Choose familiar routes

If the weather’s bad or it’s dark, it’s harder to navigate, so it’s not the best time to be adventurous! Stick to well-lit walks that you’ve done before to help keep you both safe and prevent you from getting lost.

8. Keep your dog on a lead

It’s harder to spot hazards in the dark or in heavy rain. Keeping your dog on a lead, particularly near traffic or on rough terrain, will help keep them safe and prevent injury or a serious accident.

9. Bring your phone

Having your phone with you on a dog walk won’t just help you find your way if you get lost, but it will also allow you to call for help if you need it. For this reason, it’s best to avoid areas you know have poor phone signal if you’re walking alone or in the dark.

10. Get dry and warm quickly

When you return home, you’ll want to make sure you’re clean and dry as soon as possible, and your dog is no different! If your dog is wet, towel-dry them, and find a warm place for them to rest.

Hannah Godfrey

Hannah Godfrey, BVetMed, MRCVS, graduated from the Royal Veterinary College in 2011 and worked in mixed practice for a few years before focusing on small animal work.

Clinically, she worked in a busy, multi-centre hospital practice until 2018, underwent training in advanced canine and feline dentistry and began working towards a Certificate in Advanced Veterinary Practice. She then moved to a local independent practice to care for the pets nearby, allowing more time to focus on other career avenues.

Hannah has been writing, since January 2021, for a diverse range of clients including pet websites, vet practice, drug companies, journals, and veterinary educators. Alongside working with the Veterinary Content Company, Hannah is a Scientific Editor, working on manuscripts prior to and following peer review, and works as Community Lead for a team of Veterinary Human Factors trainers.