If you own a Pitbull who enjoys playing in the yard, you probably wonder if he can endure the cold weather, such as the winter or snow. How long can these dogs be left outside before becoming too cold?
Yes, they do get cold in the winter, and you shouldn’t leave them outside unattended without shelter, is the quick answer. Obviously, how weather-sensitive your Pitbull is will depend on how cold and snowy it is, as well as how old and physically fit your dog is.
Pitbulls do not have a thick coat, unlike some dog breeds, so they can get cold easily, especially if they are not moving.
When your Pitbull is playing in the snow or accompanying you on a walk, he is probably okay. His body will produce enough heat while exercising to keep him cozy and warm.
However, if your Pitbull is not moving, he can quickly calm down. Because he is not wearing a thick fut, his body heat practically immediately escapes. This is especially true if it is windy as well!.
You shouldn’t leave your Pitbull outside for an extended period of time in temperatures below 40 to 45 degrees Fahrenheit without checking on him. He will be especially cold if it is wet (rainy or foggy).
You shouldn’t leave young Pitbull puppies outside if the temperature is below 50 degrees or it is rainy and windy because they become colder more quickly.
Set up your dog summer area
You’ll need to set up a space (or spaces) where your dog can stay cool and comfortable during the summer and have access to food and water. It can be outside or inside.
Before beginning the summertime preparations, you must determine what is best for your dog because some dogs prefer to spend the hotter days indoors while others don’t feel comfortable doing so.
Here is how to do it in both cases:
The simplest way for any dog owner to protect their dogs from the heat is to keep them indoors with the air conditioning on, but some dogs don’t like to be cooped up, and not everyone has air conditioning in their home.
If so, you’ll need to set up an outdoor watering station for your dog.
If there are no trees in your yard to provide shade, you will need to prepare a tent or put something up to shade your dog’s outdoor space. Shade can come from a tree or something you put up, and it can help your dog feel cooler.
Consider adding cooling pads for your dog, it will make him feel fresher, and some cooling pads effect last for 8 hours which can help your dog to lay on during the day. I use this affordable cooling mat which you can also get on Amazon and it works pretty well for my dogs, as I’m sure it does for the other thousands of people who have left positive reviews for it.
You can also get it by clicking on the below:
Place two or three sizable water bowls in various locations around your yard, and remember to fill them up.
Nothing compares to drinking ice-cold, fresh water to feel hydrated, and the same is true for dogs. Make sure your dog drinks water every 15 or 20 minutes, but be careful—drinking too much water is bad for dogs.
Are you now interested in learning how much water your dog should consume while out for a walk? 4 to 8 ounces for a dog weighing 45 to 55 pounds, which is the average weight for Pitbulls.
Get them a water fountain instead, and it will provide them with fresh water all day long if you don’t want to worry about giving them fresh water every two or three hours.
I have the one from PetSafe and it’s more than good enough actually. Just get the larger 2-gallon one so you don’t need to do a lot of re-fill runs.
By eating a balanced diet, you can help your dog better control their body temperature and give them some of the water they need to stay hydrated. The following are the main elements to consider to maintain your dog’s health during the summer:
As a result of their fur rather than hair, Pitbulls require less maintenance during the summer. Be sure to regularly brush and groom your dog.
The temperature of the pavement is much higher than that of the surrounding air, which could result in footpads burning.
When walking your dog, try to avoid the sun’s hottest hours. These are the best times to walk your dog in the summer.
You can buy your dog a boot to protect their footpads in case you have a busy schedule or an emergency that forces you to take them outside during the hottest times of the day.
However, keep in mind that some dogs dislike wearing this boot or may take some time to get used to it. You will just need to be patient and consistent.
After some trial and testing, my Pitbulls seem to find these boots the most comfortable. They are also affordable and quite well-made, so consider them for your own dogs as well.
Treats that are cool will help your dog stay energized throughout the day. Your dog will be happier and cooler if you make this treat at home or if you give him ice cubes.
Pitbulls are a very play full and energetic breed. Nothing will cheer them up more during the summer than swimming exercises while they play their favorite games; if you don’t have access to a pool, a foot bath will be a good substitute since they lower their body temperature by perspiring through the sweat glands on their paws.
When your dog’s body temperature exceeds the normal range, which is between 101 and 102, hyperthermia results. 5 Fahrenheit.
Summertime is the season when hyperthermia usually happens, especially when your pitbull is outside in the sun without any shade or when you leave him in a locked car for longer than 15 minutes (never do that!).
Your dog is at serious risk of hyperthermia or worse if their body temperature rises above 106 degrees. Additionally, you must act quickly because your dog’s heart and brain could fail if their temperature rises above 109 degrees.
Some reasons can make your dog more vulnerable to Hyperthermia
Although hypothermia is manageable in most cases, you may need to see a veterinarian right away if it becomes severe.
If your dog is showing symptoms of hypothermia, take his temperature, restrict his movement, and start treating him until his body temperature returns to normal. Here is how to treat your dog:
Repeat this process, and if his temperature doesn’t lower, ask a veterinarian for assistance. It will also be best if you take him in for a checkup after they cool down.
But never give them iced water or submerge them in an ice bath because doing so can cause shock.
Keep your dog’s body cool by utilizing the six strategies we’ve already listed in this article. Hypothermia occurs when the weather is extremely hot or cold. Therefore, in extreme weather, be alert for any hypothermia symptoms.
Keep an eye out for the symptoms and act quickly if you notice them because your dog has a high risk of experiencing hypothermia or heatstroke once more.
Dogs naturally cool themselves by panting and sweating through the sweat glands in their paws, but occasionally this is insufficient because the sweat glands are weak. And because of this, they depend on their owner to keep them hydrated on hot days.
Things To Avoid In High Heat With Your Pitbull
You need to refrain from a few things when your Pitbull gets too hot in order to avoid any discomfort or serious medical problems. By taking preventative measures, you can steer clear of potential risks and give your Pitbull the attention they deserve to avoid overheating.
Exercise in the heat is one of the most frequent causes of a Pitbull becoming overheated. Exercise in temperatures above 20°C/68°F can start to pose health risks, particularly for older, obese, or medically compromised dogs.
In temperatures between 20°C (68°F) and 24°C (75°F), you can still engage in moderate exercise, such as walking, but you should keep your pace easy. Most dogs are at risk of overheating once the thermometer starts to rise toward the 28°C/82°F range, particularly young, old, obese, and unhealthy Pitbulls. Exercise of any kind in these temperatures is not recommended.
Regardless of their age or health, Pitbulls are very active dogs and will require some exercise. Avoid exercising in the heat of the day; instead, schedule your walks and workouts for early morning or late evening when it is much cooler.
Even the healthiest Pitbulls should avoid exercise in extreme heat. Keep your dogs safe, refrain from strenuous activity when it’s hot outside, and keep an eye out for the symptoms of overheating. More to come below.
Long-term heat exposure can cause issues in animals, just like it does in humans. Your dog may have trouble controlling their temperature during the heat of the day, and they may also be vulnerable to sunburns.
Pitbulls have short, fine coats, and they can get painful sunburns from prolonged exposure to the sun, just like people. To prevent these painful skin injuries, try not to leave your dog outside in the sun for extended periods of time. If you’re outside, make sure there is enough shade for them to cool off and avoid getting sunburned.
Never, ever leave your Pitbull in a car when it’s even a little warm outside—I feel like this should go without saying. One of the quickest ways to put your Pitbull at risk for health problems and possibly fatal heat stroke is to leave your car running on a warm or hot day.
Even leaving your Pitbull in a car on a day when it is 21°C/69°F outside can feel like 32°C/90°F after only 10 minutes in the car. These interior car temperatures climb higher as time goes on and will quickly turn fatal for even the healthiest of dogs.
Bring your Pitbull inside the stores if you are running errands while out and about with them. Otherwise leave your dog at home. There is no justification for leaving your Pitbull in a hot car, not even a quick stop that “will only take 5 minutes.” The errand can wait, your dog can’t.
How cold is too cold outside for a dog?
Pets with smaller, thinner coats, who are very young, old, or ill shouldn’t be left outside for very long when the temperature drops below 32 degrees Fahrenheit. Your dogs are much more likely to suffer from hypothermia and frostbite once temperatures reach around 20 degrees F.
FAQ
What temperature is too hot for a Pitbull?
Pets are at risk for heatstroke once the outside temperature reaches at least 80 degrees and a humidity level of at least 90 percent, according to a good rule of thumb.
Is 90 degrees too hot for a Pitbull?
However, based on your dog’s size, there are some recommendations from Tufts Animal Care And Condition for what temperatures are too hot for your pet. For dogs of all sizes, there is typically no risk at 60 degrees Fahrenheit, but 85 to 90 degrees Fahrenheit could be fatal.
What temperature can a Pitbull be outside in?
50-60 degrees and higher are safe temperatures for your dog. Temperatures of 85 degrees or higher are a different animal altogether, but we’re only discussing cool to cold temperatures here. Generally speaking, temperatures around 45 degrees are acceptable, but you should still monitor your dog’s behavior in these conditions.
How do you cool down a Pitbull?
You can also lightly mist his ears and paw pads with cool water. Place your cool wet cloths on his neck, armpits, and in the space in between his hind legs. Give him cool, fresh water if he’s awake and willing to drink it. However, don’t push it as it might end up in his lungs if you do.