I think that we all know that dogs and puppies are much more susceptible to the cold than humans.
It’s not just a matter of comfort, but also one of safety.
With winter coming up.
I’ve been wondering if they should be brought inside or left outside?
What do you guys think?
Dogs and puppies are not immune to the cold weather.
Whether they are able to put up with it better than us, or because we like them more we tend not to see things the same way.
But when dogs and puppies get cold, they feel the chill just as we do and may suffer from a lot of health problems if they are exposed to the elements for long periods of time.
One of the questions we are most often asked here at TopPetShop is whether dogs and puppies should be brought inside, or left outside during cold weather.
Here we’ll give you some information on the risks they run when left to deal with the cold weather themselves, as well as some advice for dealing with them safely.
What Dogs And Puppies Are Not Resistant To
The truth is that dogs are not immune to the cold.
They might be able to survive outdoors in much worse conditions than we can but their health and well being will suffer nonetheless.
When they get cold they do feel stiff, sore and uncomfortable just as we would if exposed to low temperatures for extended periods of time.
They may also suffer from other problems such as hypothermia, frostbite and respiratory diseases if they are exposed to the elements for long enough.
Even dogs with thick coats can get cold in very low temperatures (as low as 0ºC / 32ºF).
The image below is an interesting one.
It shows us just how cold the temperatures can get for dogs in some European countries during winter.
As you can see, even Norway which is famous for being one the most northern and coldest countries in Europe will not protect your dog from extreme low temperatures.
If your dog’s coat doesn’t provide enough protection, be sure to give them something to help keep them warm.
They need a warm coat, boots, and sweaters just like we do.
They need a protection layer that will help keep them warm as well, not only for their sake but also because they can’t take care of themselves in the way we do.
You should also try to avoid taking them for long walks in conditions like that.
Taking dogs for a walk can be fun, but it’s not worth the risk if you don’t have to
If your dog has short fur, or is older than 3 years (yes, even puppies), you should make sure that they are protected against the cold.
How Dogs React To The Cold
They react to the cold in much the same way as we do.
When their body temperature drops, they will try to warm it up again by moving, wagging their tail and panting.
These actions, although seemingly innocent will prove fatal if they are not treated properly.
First of all, the fact that they are trying to warm themselves up means that they are burning more energy which can cause your dog to get tired quickly and this is dangerous in itself.
Secondly, dogs pant to cool themselves down.
But panting causes heat loss and can cause them to get even colder as the temperature drops.
Their lungs are delicate organs that could be damaged if they are exposed to freezing temperatures for long periods of time.
This might sound unimaginable, but it can happen.
It’s no joke: uncontrolled breathing can cause problems if there is no place for the dog’s warm breath to go
To be on the safe side, you should keep your dog inside with you.
Even if they want to get out and about or find a field in which to do their business, it might be wise not letting them.
You need to consider other people as well.
If they wander off and get lost, or worse, hurt someone, you could be held responsible for that.
Besides, in these situations it’s easy to slip and fall on the ice and if your dog is not under control and decides to run away at that point… well there are a lot of scenarios we don’t even want to think about.
The image below shows you the difference between ambient temperatures and body temperature.
As you can see, your dog’s fur coat will help keep his/her body warm, but at some point there is a risk of getting cold even if your dog has a thick coat.
Just like us, the degree of susceptibility to getting cold varies depending on each individual dog.
The degree of exposed skin, age and general health are factors that must be taken into account.
As we’ve already mentioned, dogs don’t sweat like we do.
The only thing their body provides them with is oily pores on the skin (not unlike our hair follicles).
Therefore, they need to pant or breathe quickly in order for the heat that is located inside their body to get out.
Some dog breeds have thick fur and can withstand colder temperatures than others
In general, dogs that have long fur and double coats can withstand temperatures as low as -30°C (-22ºF).
Others have a shorter coat, but all in all they can usually tolerate colder temperatures than we would.
Age plays a big part in how tolerant they are to low temperatures.
For example: older dogs have less body fat and more difficulty regulating their temperature than younger ones, which makes them much less resistant to the cold.
Ways to protect your dog from the cold
If you do decide to take your dog for a walk, here are some tips to make it as safe as possible.
Always watch your dog’s breathing: if they show any sign of respiratory distress, just bring them inside and warm them up quickly.
If you want to take your dog for a long walk in the cold, make sure that they are wearing a coat to keep them warm, just like you would.
Buy a coat for your dog , especially if you live in a cold area or if it gets really cold in your area at night.
Take them for walks during the day when it’s warmer or get some exercise with them during the warmest part of the day.
If you have a garden, reduce the length and frequency of your dog’s walks in it if winter is approaching.
If your dog is overweight, try to exercise with them as much as you can in order for them to lose weight and therefore improve their tolerance to the cold.
Take them out only if it’s dry.
They can slip and hurt themselves on the ice or, in the worst case scenario, slip through an uncovered drain or pothole.
Taking your dog out in the sun is not always a good idea either. In addition to the risks posed by low temperatures, there is a risk of sunburn if your dog’s coat isn’t thick enough.
Make sure they have plenty of blankets and bedding to snuggle up in.
They can also be a good idea for covering the bottom of your dog’s bed.
This will help keep it warm for longer and reduce the risk of them chewing the bed.
Give your dog plenty of fresh water to drink, but don’t force it to drink if they don’t want to.
Check their ears regularly for any signs of infection or anything else out of place, since this is one of the most common complaints in dogs during winter.
If you see that there is a lot of earwax or anything else blocking the canal, then get them checked by a professional.
If your dog is really shivering, give him a warm bath to help him relax.
Don’t dry him off with heat from an iron or steamer.
Doing this can cause your dog’s coat to fall out.
Use a blow dryer instead, but make sure that it is set on the lowest temperature possible.
Also, don’t point the air flow anywhere near your dog’s face.
Feed them regularly throughout the day.
In cold areas, try to avoid offering food or water right before they go for a walk and only give them something to eat or drink once you come inside.
You can suggest that they eat or drink when you sit down to rest in order for them to get used to it.
This will help with digestion, which is very important during winter.
Keep your dog indoors if possible and avoid taking them out at night.
Dogs are very sensitive to the cold and can easily get sick or even die from hypothermia.
If you have enough time, try to train them to use a litter box in the winter.
The litter will keep their paws warm and help reduce the risk of slipping on ice or snow.
Take your dog to the vet at least once a year for a checkup.
Depending on where you live, this may be more or less important.
If you live in an area that gets really cold during winter, make sure your dog or puppy has access to a safe place indoors where it can stay warm all day long.
Frozen winter nights are especially difficult for this.
If your dog has a big enough bed, you can place it in their bedroom for the night.
This will keep them nice and warm without you having to worry about them.
During the day, make sure they go outside for play time or some other form of exercise.
It’s important for their health, especially if they are overweight or have trouble walking.
If you decide to walk your dog, make sure that they have a good winter coat to protect them from the cold.
If you are planning on walking them in your local park or around any other open area, try not to take them out during the night.
Dogs are very sensitive to cold temperatures and can easily get sick or even die from hypothermia.
Always be careful when walking your dog or playing outside with your pup – if they get too cold their health may suffer.
Walking your dog around the block is also a great way to get out and meet your neighbors!
Dogs can be your best friend, but just like a human, they need to warm up before exercise.
Be sure that if you walk with your dog, you always pay attention to the temperature.
Never let them go out in the snow without a leash, especially if they are young.
They could easily get lost or injured, and it’s also not safe to let them wander on their own.
Give them lots of love and attention so they know you’re there for them through the tough times as well as the good ones!
Love and attention is always a great way to bond with your pet!
Winter is always hard on pets, but it’s even harder for those with physical ailments.
If your dog has a health condition that makes him more likely to get sick during winter, then try as much as possible to keep him inside.
Conclusion
You know what they say about a dog’s life, that it is short and full of pain?
Well, not if you take care of them!
These tips will help your pup stay warm during the cold winter months.
Remember to give them lots of love and attention so they know you’re there for them through the tough times as well as the good ones!
A little extra effort now can make all the difference in how healthy your pet stays year-round.
