How Cold is Too Cold for Dogs?

While it’s getting colder outside, many of us prefer to stay indoors more to enjoy the ambiance and coziness of our homes. Unlike humans, dogs need daily physical exercise in fresh air to stay healthy and mentally stimulated. But is there such a thing as too cold weather for dogs? Do dogs feel cold in winter? 

Let’s explore this topic to learn more about comfortable outdoor temperatures for dogs and discuss how you, as pet parents, can help them stay warm in chilly weather.

Do Dogs Get Cold in the Winter?

Depending on the thickness of their coat, dogs’ tolerance to very cold temperatures can change. However, most dogs get cold in winter. Though dogs are warm-blooded, long walks outside in low temperatures can lead to hypothermia or frostbite.

Signs of hypothermia and frostbite are:

• Pale cold gums
• Disorientation
• Slow movements due to stiffness or muscle weakness
• Losing consciousness
• Pain in the affected area
• Bluish or greyish skin color
• Blackening of the affected area

How Cold Is Too Cold for Dogs to Be Outside?

The temperature at which you should cut your walks with your dog short or stop them altogether depends on various factors. You should consider your dog’s breed, age, health condition, and individual characteristics.

Dog owners who aren’t sure whether the temperature outside is safe for their dogs should use the following rule: if it’s too cold for you to stay comfortable, it’s probably too cold for a dog.

Most dogs with thick coats can stay outside longer, while those with thin coats or short-haired dogs are at higher risks of hypothermia. Pups and senior dogs are also more likely to get cold. The same is true for furry friends with heart diseases and arthritis.

What Temperature Is Too Cold for Dogs?

Keeping your dog indoors in freezing winter weather may be a good idea, especially if it’s 20 F (-7 C) or lower. Though dogs have different tolerances to cold temperatures, you can use some general guidelines to know how long you can keep your dog outside in winter.

Make sure to stay vigilant because some dogs are less tolerant than other individuals from the same breed and even if you're walking at a temperature that's supposed to be comfortable for your dog, you should look for signs of discomfort throughout the walk.

Dogs that Love the Cold

Some dog breeds can handle extreme weather conditions better than others. This is possible due to their thick double coats, which kept their ancestors warm in frigid regions. Below, we will list some of the most popular breeds that thrive in cold climates.

Breeds that tolerate extreme temperatures well are:

• Siberian Husky
• Alaskan Malamute
• Saint Bernard
• American Eskimo Dog
• Tibetan Mastiff
• Chow Chow
• New Foundland

Dog breeds that can't handle the cold

Some dogs’ body characteristics, such as their lack of thick coats, size, and fat distribution, make them more susceptible to colds.

Breeds that are vulnerable when temperatures drop are:

• Chihuahua
• French Bulldog
• Greyhound
• Pug
• Yorkshire Terrier 
• Whippet
• Dachshund (Smooth Haired)

How Cold Is Too Cold for Dogs to Walk?

As a dog parent, you know your dog best, so, ultimately, it’s up to you to decide whether you will take your dog for a walk in chilly weather and how long it will be. Even dogs belonging to one breed can have different tolerances to cold temperatures depending on the level of acclimation. Still, we suggest you pay attention to some generally accepted norms. 

When the outside temperature drops below 32 F (0 C), keep your winter walks short and track your dog’s signs of discomfort, such as shivering and taking paws off the ground. Below 20 F (-6 C), it can be too dangerous for your dog to stay outside unless you use dog coats and jackets.

Protect Your Dog’s Paws from Cold

It’s essential to keep your dog’s paws warm and protected while you take them for a walk outside in cold weather.

How long can dog paws be in the snow?

Depending on your dog’s breed, they should walk barefoot in the snow for no more than 15-30 minutes. Besides the cold ground, your dog may damage their feet because salt covers the sidewalks.

Here’s how to keep dogs’ paws safe in winter:

• Use dog boots:

Carefully chosen, dog booties function like the shoes we wear. They keep paws warm and protect them from ice and possible irritation caused by salt.

Note: Make sure you desensitize the boots before using them daily. Put them on only when the dog is eating at first, then put them outside for short periods (1-2 minutes) and gradually start increasing the duration of their use outside on walks. If the dog freezes or shows other signs of discomfort, you go too fast on desensitization. In that case, repeat the process but slower this time.

• Apply paw balm:

This helps keep the paws soft and moisturized and minimizes the damage caused by salt your dog touches during the walks.

• Wipe down the paws after walks:

Remember to wipe your dog’s paws after each walk to remove any potentially dangerous substances they may have stepped on outside.

• Keep the walks short:

Though daily walks are beneficial, act proactively in cold climates and reduce the time spent outside if you suspect your dog is getting cold.

Tips for Walking Your Dog in Cold Weather

Cold weather shouldn’t keep you housebound with your dog. Walking outside can benefit your dog’s mood and overall health. However, you should carefully arrange your winter walks accordingly to decrease the risks of hypothermia.

• Consider your dog’s breed, age, and health status to decide whether the temperature outside is comfortable.

• Watch out for discomfort, hypothermia, and frostbite in your dog to avoid health complications.

• Keep the walks short or avoid them altogether in extremely cold weather. Increasing mental stimulation and chewing time inside to ensure their well-being.

• Change your dog’s diet to provide them with more high-quality food to maintain healthy body weight. Your dog’s body fat is crucial in regulating body temperature.

• Remember, many dogs are more prone to getting lost when cold outside. Use identification collars or microchips with contact details to ensure your dog returns home if lost.

• Message your dog’s paws after a walk if they are cold. It will improve the blood flow in the limbs.

• When your dog gets cold, return home, cover the dog in blankets, and turn on the heating. However, warm your dog up gradually to prevent overheating.

Sticking to these simple rules will keep your dog safe and make your walks outside enjoyable.