Frost is not unusual around Dixon, and tule fog adds damp cold from late fall into winter. The cold season is short, but it still catches some owners off guard.
How cold it gets here
At the Vacaville weather station, about 8 miles from the kennel, the 1991 to 2020 NOAA normals show an average December low of 39.5 F and about 14 days a year at 32 F or colder. The Davis experimental farm station records about 18 such days. That is not Sierra weather, but a short-haired dog sleeping outdoors on a clear January night feels it.
What tule fog is
The National Weather Service describes tule fog as exceptionally thick radiation fog that forms on many nights from late October through February in California's Central Valley, when cool, moist air sits near the ground under clear skies and light winds. It makes damp cold and poor visibility. Give yourself extra time on the road to a morning drop-off.
Cold weather habits from the ASPCA
- Keep dogs indoors; cold can cause freezing, disorientation or getting lost.
- Provide a warm, draft-free bed off the floor.
- Dry your dog thoroughly after coming in, and check paws for cracks or redness.
- Do not shave a dog to the skin in winter; short-haired dogs may need a coat or sweater.
- Feed a little extra and keep fresh water available, since dogs burn more energy staying warm.
- Clean up antifreeze spills right away, because antifreeze is lethal. Call your vet or ASPCA Poison Control, (888) 426-4435, if a dog may have swallowed it.
- Bathe less often in cold spells, because frequent washing dries the skin.
Senior and small dogs
Older dogs with arthritis stiffen in cold, damp weather, and small or thin-coated dogs lose heat faster. If a senior dog is staying, mention arthritis on the paperwork; the senior dog boarding page explains how.
Winter at the kennel
The runs at Happy Paws are heated in winter, and each dog can choose the heated inside space or the outdoor area through its own doggie door. Every run has a Kuranda bed, which lifts the dog off the floor, and blankets. You do not need to pack a bed. Winter holidays have special hours: see Christmas and New Year boarding.