How Cold Is Too Cold For Your Dog?

Getting your dog to enjoy the benefits of being outside is great for their physical and mental health. They are able to walk, run, smell different scents, and be stimulated. This keeps them happy and healthy.

But what do pet parents do when it’s cold outside and how cold is too cold for your dog? In this article, we will look in-depth at how to keep dogs safe even during the winter and on some cold days.

What Is Too Cold for Dogs to Be Outside?

There is no lone specific temperature that is applicable to all dogs as this may vary based on your dogs breed, coat type, age, weight, and health.

For Dog Breed & Coat Type:

Dogs who have double-layered and thick coats are cold-tolerant. The origins of these breeds are in northern climates and have features that allow them to thrive in extremely cold temperatures. Most of these dogs include Siberian Huskies and Samoyeds.

On the other hand, dogs who have thin coats may have difficulties maintaining a warm body dog temperature in cold weather. These dogs include American Pit Bull Terriers and Greyhounds.

Additionally, dog coat colors also play an important role. Dogs who have darker coats are able to absorb a significant amount of heat from sunlight to keep them warmer.

For Dog Weight:

Dogs release most of their heat body heat through their skin. Small and thin dogs have a larger surface area to volume ratio than bigger and fatter dogs. This means that they have a bigger surface to lose heat from and a smaller area "inside" to retain.

This is the reason why small dogs get colder faster than large dogs as dog weight is a good insulator. However, note that this benefit does not outweigh the dangers of obesity in dogs.

For Age & Health:

Puppies, old dogs, and dogs with health conditions will find it harder to regulate their dog temperatures compared to fit and healthy dogs. Puppies do not have that much body fat to serve as an insulator. Senior dogs and dogs who are sick are also not able to increase their metabolic rate as well as they are supposed to.

Cold Temperature Breakdown

If the temperature outside is above 45°F, this should not pose a danger for most dogs but take note of your dog’s breed, coat type, age, weight, and health.

If the temperature is 45°F and below, some dogs, especially those not built for cold temperatures may begin feeling uncomfortable.

If the temperature is 32°F and below, dogs not fit for cold weather should not be left unsupervised and should not be left outside for a long time.

If the temperature is 20°F below, dogs may easily develop hypothermia and frostbite. It is best not to let them outside to avoid any medical accidents.

Signs That Your Dog Is Too Cold

Learning how to determine if your dog is already too cold might just save their lives! According to Ontario SPCA and Humane Society, when your dog begins to act too cold or freeze, they may:

Hypothermia is a state in which your dog's temperature drops below its normal dog temperature due to lengthy or too much exposure to cold temperatures or from having wet fur in an extremely cold environment.

Frostbite, as described by VCA Animal Hospitals, is damage induced to skin and other tissues due to intense cold. Frostbite happens because, in exceptionally cold temperatures, your furbaby’s blood vessels begin to tighten to hold body temperature. But when your furbaby gets exposed to a cold environment for a long time, this natural mechanism of the body can lessen blood flow in some areas, specifically the ears, the paws, and the tail, and may lead the tissues to freeze.

Though it is important to keep watch of these signs, you should not to wait for these signs to call your walk or playtime over. 

If your furbaby has any of the signs mentioned above, take your furbaby to a warm area and wrap them in a blanket like Pawtect® Blanket Plus. Pawtect® Blanket Plus offers extra protection with our proprietary Sherpup® multi-layer material and added absorbent layers of padding for heavy-duty absorption, creating an interior impermeable barrier to ensure your pup stays comfy and dry.

What You Can Do

 

Your furbaby’s treatment depends on the severity of your furbaby’s condition. To prevent cold weather injuries and promote dog safety, always make sure that your furbabies are dry and protected when in cold areas.

When going for a walk during cold weather, make walks as quick as possible and check their paws from time to time.

It is very important that you seek immediate veterinary help if you notice any signs of cold weather injuries.