Your dog has a thick or fuzzy coat – shouldn’t that keep him warm in winter? Well, actually, not always! In fact, that fuzzy covering doesn’t necessarily give your dog a free pass to run around all day in the frigid winter cold without risking frostbite or hypothermia at all.
Every dog is unique. But even pups who love the cold and snow need a break to stay healthy and safe every so often. So yes, you can enjoy the winter weather with your dogs, but only if you take proper precautions like these to ensure cold-weather safety.
Here’s to a happy, fun winter season!
Do Your Dog Breed Research
It’s important to really understand your dog’s breed and background. Huskies and other dogs have a very thick fur and can spend significantly more time outside than smaller dogs like Chihuahuas. Akitas, Alaskan Malamutes, American Eskimos, Bernese Mountain Dogs, German Shepherds, and Great Pyrenees are all examples of dogs who tolerate — even love — the cold, but even they need occasional warmth, too.
Use your dog’s breed as an aid in deciding how much exposure is too much – but do so with a little bit of common sense. If it’s sub-zero temperatures outside, limit your trips or at least be sure he has the option to come back in if he wants to.
Indoor Sleeping
The majority of dogs are not meant to be left outside all the time, especially when temperatures dip below freezing. As a matter of fact, a lot of towns have ordinances that classify leaving a dog outside below certain temperatures as animal abuse. Please give your dog a warm space inside the house to sleep when it’s cold outside. If you for some reason can’t allow the dog in the house, perhaps because of a visitor or allergies, consider creating a warm space in a shed or garage instead.
Heated Bedding
Living in a home with drafts, or perhaps a fireplace? Fluctuating temperatures can make your dog really uncomfortable, and the older they get, the more likely they are to struggle with it. This is especially true for pups with canine osteoarthritis, which can flare and become more painful as temperatures drop late at night.
And pups or senior dogs? They often struggle to maintain body temperature even in the best of times. Fortunately, there’s a way to provide them with a little comfort.
Pet-safe heated bedding products work to distribute extra heat under your dog’s blankets; most are even safe for extended use. Find them on sites like Amazon or Dr. Foster’s, or pick one up at a local pet store.
Don’t feel comfortable with a plug-in bed? Try a SnuggleSafe instead. Microwave for five minutes and tuck the disc under a layer of blankets in your dog’s bed.
Outdoor Shelters
Make sure your dog has a kennel or some sort of outdoor shelter if he spends a lot of time outdoors in cooler weather. Most importantly, don’t let your dog lay directly on the ground, especially if the ground is frozen. Use straw or a wooden pallet to create a barrier he can lie on that keeps him up and away from the floor. Fill the shelter with blankets, but be cautious and check them often in wet weather as they can freeze into a solid sheet of fabric fast. Straw is a much better insulator and resists molding/water damage, too; plus, it’s cheap and easy to access.
Need a better option? Dog houses with in-floor heating may seem indulgent, but they also provide an easy escape during playtimes.
Dog Clothing
Do dog sweaters really work? Well…it depends on the dog. Whether or not your dog will actually tolerate the wearing of said sweater comes down to his or her temperament. Some dogs seem to love wearing clothing because it ensures they’re fawned over, while others will shoot you side eyes and slink around like the world is ending.
That said, clothing can be a great way to provide an extra layer of warmth, especially if you have a smaller, short-haired dog. Try your first sweater at home and let Fido wear it around for a bit and get used to it. Acclimatize him slowly and you’ll stand a better chance of avoiding that totally dejected look.
Protect Their Paws
Your dog’s paws are sensitive, and are easily damaged by snow, ice, and even ice-melting chemicals, like road salt. Both frostbite and direct chemical burns are a possibility each time you leave the house. Consider getting your dog a set of booties they can wear while outdoors if you spend a significant amount of time outdoors.
What if your dog won’t wear them? After all, there’s enough videos of dogs refusing to wear booties out there to give the world several giggles. Get them early (preferably in puppyhood) and allow your dog to wear them around the house. They can be a bit awkward – it’s almost like some pups need to re-learn how to walk in them.
If that doesn’t work, limit your dog’s time on cold surfaces and be sure to check their paws when you are done outside. Make sure there are no bits of snow, ice, or salt stuck between their toes or embedded in the hair. Use a warm washcloth to wipe their paws clean of invisible salts and chemicals. As a quick fix measure, you can also use a thick paw balm before you head out.
Pay Attention to Your Dog’s Fur
Did you know the dry winter weather and indoor heat can cause your dog’s skin to become dry, causing them to lose fur? Talk to your vet about whether or not your pup should be taking a fatty oil supplement to promote better skin and coat health during the winter months.
Here’s another great tip for dry dog skin: environmental humidity plays a major role in dry winter skin (and that goes for both you and your dog). Indoor heating often strips air of moisture, and the dryer your air is, the greater the risk for dry, itchy skin. Try running a humidifier for at least a couple of hours per day; replacing that lost moisture lets both of you enjoy better skin health.
Look at Calorie Intake
It takes more energy for a dog to stay warm when it’s cold, especially if they spend a lot of time outside. Shivering burns calories! Puppies and dogs who are already on diets for high activity levels may already be eating more than most other dogs, but it’s worth talking to your vet about increasing portion sizes for the winter. Keep an eye on your dog’s weight, but make sure he’s getting enough at the same time. You may have to spread his food into more meals per day in order to get it all in.
Don’t Leave Your Pup in the Car
The same rules apply in cold weather as they do in warm weather — never leave your dog alone in the car. Cars cool down just as quickly as they heat up and your dog may become cold and uncomfortable.
Better yet? Don’t take your dog with you on errands where they can’t come inside. Leave them at home or take along another human who can stay with your dog while you run your errands. Alternatively, drop him off for playtime with his pals at doggy daycare if you need some time on your own.
Stay Away from Ice
Keep your dog away from ice, whether it’s a frozen-over puddle or a large body of water. Dogs don’t know the difference between ice and regular ground. Slipping could cause muscle, tendon, or ligament damage.
This risk becomes even higher on ponds, lakes, and even frozen-over backyard pools. Dogs don’t perceive ice the same way we do, and may step on an unsafe spot only to break through the ice and fall in. In extremely cold weather, the risk for hypothermia and drowning – or even being pulled out to sea or trapped under the ice – is extremely high.
Pay Attention to Body Language
Your dog can’t tell you when they’re cold. Instead, it’s up to you to pay attention to their behavior and take action when they need help. Better yet, work proactively; if it’s -10 Fahrenheit out, it’s probably best to stay indoors.
Know how to spot signs of early canine hypothermia – and how to respond. If your pup suddenly starts moving very slowly, stops moving altogether, shivers constantly, or whines incessantly, it may be a sign he’s headed for dangerous territory. The symptoms of hypothermia show up faster than the signs of frostbite, meaning they may be your first sign that something’s wrong. Pale skin, numbness, and limping is also an important symptom of cold-weather harms.
As for how to respond to a dog who’s already too cold? Warm them up slowly and surely. Bring him in and wrap him in blankets to keep him warm. Or, try offering a little bit of warmed-up low-sodium chicken stock and bone broth. If symptoms don’t turn around quickly, or if you still don’t feel comfortable with how your dog is behaving, call the vet for further advice.
Your dog is your loyal companion; she trusts you to keep her safe. Be conscious of how you feel and remember your dog likely feels the same way. Dogs have less control over changing their environments than humans do. They’re depending you on you make the safest, healthiest choices on their behalf, so be sure to be the ally they really need.