How Cold Is Too Cold for Your Dog?

Being outdoors is great for a dog’s physical and mental health. Walking, running, looking, sniffing, listening, and meeting old or new friends are activities that help keep dogs happy and healthy. But what should we do when it’s cold outside? When do the risks of spending time outdoors outweigh its benefits? Let’s look at the dangers associated with cold weather and how we can continue to safely enjoy the outdoors with our dogs during the winter.

Dogs are individuals

A temperature that is comfortable for one dog may make another shiver. There are a few variables that affect how dogs respond to the cold.

coat type

Dogs with thick, double-coated fur tend to be the most cold-tolerant (think Siberian Huskies, Newfoundlands, and Samoyeds). Many of these breeds originated in northern climates and have attributes that allow them to thrive when temperatures drop. However, dogs with exceptionally fine coats, such as the Basenji and Xoloitzcuintli, can suffer in the cold and tend to do better when it is warmer outside.

coat color

On a clear day, black, brown, or other dark-coated dogs can absorb significant amounts of heat from sunlight, keeping them warmer compared to dogs with light-colored fur.

Size

Dogs lose most of their heat through their skin. Small dogs have a greater surface area to volume ratio compared to large dogs, meaning, relatively speaking, they have a larger surface area to lose heat and a smaller area “on the inside” to retain heat. Therefore, small dogs cool down faster than large dogs, all things being equal.

Weight

Body fat is a good insulator, so thin dogs cool down quickly. However, the health risks of being overweight far outweigh any benefits, so don’t let your dog gain weight in preparation for winter.

Conditioning

We have all experienced this. After the heat of summer, 55 F can feel frigid, but after a long, cold winter, the same temperature can make us pull out a pair of shorts and a t-shirt. Dogs accustomed to the cold tolerate it much better than those who are not.

Age and health

Puppies, elderly canines, and dogs with underlying health problems cannot regulate their body temperature as well as healthy dogs in the prime of their lives. Be sure to protect vulnerable dogs from the cold.

Don’t just look at the temperature

The temperature recorded by a thermometer is not the only environmental factor that affects how dogs feel the cold. Consider other factors, including:

Shaking chills

A strong breeze can blow through a dog’s coat, greatly decreasing its ability to insulate and protect against the cold.

Humidity

Rain, snow, heavy fog, swimming – any form of moisture that penetrates the coat can quickly cool a dog, even if the air temperature is mild.

Cloudy

Cloudy days tend to seem colder than sunny days, since dogs can’t sunbathe and warm up.

Activity

If dogs are going to be very active while outside, they may generate enough extra body heat to keep them comfortable even if the temperature is quite low.

Cold Temperature Guidelines for Dogs

While it is difficult to make broad generalizations, the cold should not become a problem for most dogs until the temperature drops below 45 F, at which point some cold-averse dogs may begin to feel uncomfortable. When temperatures drop below 32 F, small breed dogs, dogs with thin coats, or very young, old, or sick dogs could be in danger if they spend too much time outdoors. Once temperatures drop below 20 F, all pet owners should be aware that their dogs could develop cold-associated health problems, such as hypothermia or frostbite, when outside for prolonged periods.

The best way to monitor your dog when he is outside in the cold is to closely monitor his behavior. If you notice your dog shaking, acting anxious, whining, slowing down, looking for warm places, or lifting one or more paws, it’s time to get inside and warm up.

Call your veterinarian if you notice any signs of frostbite or hypothermia, such as sluggishness, confusion, severe shivering (which may go away as hypothermia progresses), and parts of the body that appear pale and cold to the touch.

Cover image: iStock.com/Ivar Østby Simonsen