How Cold Is Too Cold for Dogs? Winter Safety Guide

Which dogs feel the cold most

How well a dog copes with cold depends on its size, coat, age, health and what it is used to. Dogs at higher risk include:

• Small and toy breeds, which lose body heat quickly
• Dogs with short, thin or single coats, and hairless breeds
• Puppies and senior dogs
• Dogs with heart disease, diabetes or other conditions that reduce blood flow to the paws, ears and tail
• Dogs with arthritis, whose joints often get stiffer in the cold
• Dogs that are wet, sick, or not used to cold weather

Thick, double-coated breeds, such as the Siberian Husky, Alaskan Malamute and Samoyed, cope much better. Even so, any dog needs proper shelter, and long periods outside in freezing weather are risky for most dogs.

How cold is too cold? A rough guide

Use the points below as a rough guide, not as strict rules. Wind, rain, snow and wet fur make cold much harder to bear, so judge by how it feels outside and how your dog is coping, not only by the thermometer.

• Above about 10°C (50°F): RSPCA guidance is that the temperature where a dog lives and sleeps should ideally stay above this level. Most healthy dogs manage normal walks without trouble.
• From about 10°C down to 0°C (50°F to 32°F): small, short-coated, young, old and unwell dogs may start to feel the cold, especially in wet or windy weather. A coat helps, and walks can be shorter.
• Below 0°C (32°F): the AKC notes that frostbite becomes a risk. Its guidance is to keep outings for small, single-coated and hairless dogs to about 10 to 15 minutes, while healthy medium to large double-coated breeds usually cope with 30 minutes to an hour.
• Well below freezing, or in strong wind or freezing rain: keep all outdoor time short, watch your dog closely, and bring dogs that normally live outside indoors.

Coats and boots

A coat is useful for small dogs, short-coated or thin-coated dogs, puppies, older dogs and dogs that are unwell. Choose one that is waterproof and lined, and that fits snugly without restricting movement or getting in the way when your dog goes to the toilet. The ASPCA suggests a coat that covers the body from the neck to the base of the tail and protects the belly.

Boots protect paws from ice, salt and grit, and they also mean less chemical residue for your dog to lick off later. They must fit well, and most dogs need a little time and some treats to get used to them. A paw balm made for dogs can help prevent cracked pads. Coats and boots should never be left on a dog that is alone or unsupervised.

Do not shave your dog's coat short in winter, because a longer coat gives more warmth. For long-haired dogs, trimming the fur between the toes helps stop ice balls forming. See grooming dogs and cats at home for how to do this safely. In very cold spells, bathe your dog as little as possible, and dry it completely afterwards.

Safer winter walks

• Keep walks shorter in very cold weather, and go out more often if your dog needs to.
• Walk in daylight where you can. After dark, use reflective or LED gear for you and your dog, and keep your dog on the leash.
• Keep your dog on a leash near frozen ponds, lakes and rivers. Thin ice can break under a dog's weight.
• Take care on icy paths, especially with older dogs or dogs with joint problems.
• After every walk, wipe your dog's paws, legs and belly to remove salt, grit and antifreeze. Check between the pads for cracks, redness or balls of ice.
• Soak off packed snow with warm water rather than pulling it out.
• Dry your dog fully with a towel when you get home, since damp fur keeps a dog cold.

If your dog gets less exercise in winter, reduce its food a little so it does not gain weight. Dogs that spend a lot of time outdoors are different. They use more energy keeping warm and may need more food, so ask your vet how much.

Cold can make stiff joints and arthritis worse. A warm, padded bed away from drafts helps older dogs a great deal. See caring for a senior dog and arthritis in dogs for more ways to keep them comfortable.

Winter poisons: antifreeze and road salt

Antifreeze is one of the most dangerous winter hazards. It contains ethylene glycol, which tastes sweet, and even a small amount can cause serious kidney damage. Dogs can be poisoned by drinking from a spill or puddle, or by licking it off their paws. Screen wash, brake fluid and radiator fluid can contain it too.

Early signs can appear within an hour and include wobbliness, weakness, vomiting and drinking or peeing more than usual. These may seem to improve before the kidneys start to fail a day or more later. If you think your dog may have swallowed or licked antifreeze, call your vet at once, even if your dog seems well. PDSA notes that the chance of survival is better when treatment starts within 12 hours. Store antifreeze in sealed containers, clean up spills straight away, and consider products made with propylene glycol, which the ASPCA suggests as a safer choice.

Rock salt and de-icers can irritate paws, and dogs that lick a lot of salt from their feet can become ill, with vomiting and, in severe cases, tremors or seizures. Use pet-safe ice melt at home, and wash your dog's paws after walks. For other risks around the home and during the holidays, see common household poisons and holiday dangers for dogs and cats.

Dogs kept outside

The RSPCA advises against keeping dogs outside, and the ASPCA recommends keeping pets indoors in cold weather. Puppies, toy breeds, elderly dogs and dogs with health problems in particular should spend most of their time indoors. If your dog does spend long periods outside, it needs:

• A suitable kennel that is big enough to sleep and move around in, sheltered from wind and rain, and free of drafts
• Clean, dry, comfortable bedding, replaced when it gets damp
• Fresh water, checked often so it does not freeze
• Enough food, since dogs burn more energy keeping warm
• Daily exercise and company, and the chance to come indoors in severe weather

RSPCA guidance is that a dog's sleeping area should be kept above 10°C (50°F), using a safe heat source if needed. Never leave a dog alone in a car in winter, even with the heating on.

Warning signs of hypothermia and frostbite

Hypothermia means the body temperature has dropped too low. Shivering is often the first sign, but it can stop as a dog gets colder, and the Merck Veterinary Manual notes that shivering is not a reliable sign in pets. Watch for:

• Shivering, or curling up tightly to keep warm
• Weakness, slowness or reluctance to move
• Drowsiness or confusion
• Pale gums
• Stumbling or clumsy movements
• Slow, shallow breathing
• Collapse

Frostbite most often affects the tips of the ears, the tail, the paws and the nose. Damaged skin may look pale, gray or bluish and feel cold and hard. As it thaws, it can turn red, swollen and painful, and badly damaged skin may blister or turn black. Signs can take several days to appear, and a dog may lick or chew at the sore area.

What to do if your dog gets too cold

• Bring your dog somewhere warm and dry as quickly as you safely can.
• If your dog is wet, pat it dry gently with towels.
• Wrap your dog in warm, dry blankets. Hot-water bottles wrapped in towels can be placed near the body, never directly on the skin.
• Warm your dog gradually. Avoid very hot water, heating pads and hair dryers on frostbitten skin.
• Do not rub or massage frostbitten areas. VCA advises soaking them in lukewarm water that feels comfortable on your hand, then patting them dry.
• Do not let a warmed area freeze again.
• Do not give human painkillers. Many are toxic to dogs.
• Call your vet straight away, even if your dog seems to recover.

Treat it as an emergency if your dog is very weak, confused or collapsed, if it feels very cold but has stopped shivering, or if any skin looks gray, black or blistered. Also call your vet if your dog seems stiff, is slow to get up, sleeps much more than usual or does not want to go out in the cold. Our guide to first aid for dogs and cats covers other emergencies.

Dogs that live on the street have no warm place to go when the temperature drops, and winter is one of the hardest seasons for them. Paw Squadron rescues dogs and cats, and every animal sees a vet after rescue, for a checkup and deworming, before it starts a new life indoors. If you see a dog outside in severe cold with no shelter, contact your local animal welfare organization or the local authorities.

For more seasonal guides, browse PawPedia. If you have questions about a dog you adopted from us, write to us from the Contact page.