Now that winter has arrived, most of us enjoy playing in the snow and breathing the crisp air. When does the cold become too cold for your cherished pets? Many dogs enjoy playing in the snow and spending time outside with us.
Let’s look at some tips for keeping your pets safe this winter.
Firstly, all dogs are not the same. Outdoor temperatures are going to feel different to every dog.
Siberian Huskies and Samoyeds are two breeds of dogs that have thick, double-layered coats that can withstand much lower temperatures than thin-coated breeds like greyhounds, pit bulls, and chihuahuas. Additionally, due to their higher surface area to volume ratio, smaller breeds tend to become colder much faster than larger dogs.
Another factor influencing how quickly dogs become sensitive to colder weather is body weight. Although thinner dogs become colder much more quickly, this is not a good reason to overfeed your pet in preparation for the winter. Your dog’s health risks outweigh any advantages they might have from being able to tolerate cold temperatures better.
The fact that no two temperatures are identical is the next consideration in determining whether your dog can withstand the colder climate. I can say with certainty that the winter air feels warmer when the sun is shining and there is no wind than when there is no sun and a brisk wind blowing against me.
If You See a Dog Left Out in the Cold
If you come across a dog left outside in low temperatures, especially for long periods of time, the HSUS recommends that you “politely let the owner know you’re concerned. Some people genuinely don’t know the risk that cold weather poses to their pets, and will be quick to correct any problems you address.”
If you are still concerned about the outdoor dog’s wellbeing, follow the HSUS steps to get the dog help: reporting wintertime neglect to help keep this pet safe. That dog needs to be inside a warm place to survive.
There are laws in many states that prevent dogs from being left outside in the frigid doghouse. If you discover an animal or an outside dog in distress, familiarize yourself with the local area’s reporting procedures.
Which dogs are sensitive to cold weather?
When it comes to the risk of freezing, a dog’s breed and health are important factors. The following dogs are considered especially sensitive to cold temperatures. To put it another way, we must provide extra attention to these defenseless dogs and ensure their warmth during the chilly winter months:
To some degree, all dogs are vulnerable to the cold. All dogs’ paws, noses, ears, and stomach areas are typically unprotected and therefore quite sensitive. Make sure your dog’s paws are kept in good condition, for instance by applying Vaseline prior to taking a brief walk outside and by cleaning the dirt off when you get home.
Generally speaking, you can use the graph below to gauge how cold is too cold for your dog based on their size:
How to keep dogs warm in winter
We advise the following to keep dogs warm in the winter and shield them from the cold or freezing:
And lastly, most important of all…
FAQ
How cold is too cold for a dog?
Guidelines for Dogs in Cold Conditions While making broad generalizations is challenging, most dogs shouldn’t experience problems with the cold until it drops below 45 F, at which point some dogs who are sensitive to the cold may start to feel uneasy.
What temperature is too low to leave your dog outside?
Owners of smaller breed dogs, dogs with short or thin coats, puppies, senior dogs, dogs with health issues, and/or sick dogs should pay close attention to their pet’s wellbeing when the temperature is below 32°F. Below 20°F: All dog owners should be aware that their canines may experience hypothermia and frostbite.