• Skip to primary navigation
  • Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
DogsBestLife.com logo

Dog's Best Life

The information you need to keep your dog happy, healthy, playful and loyal.

  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Keep dogs safe in cold weather

Posted January 7, 2018

dog cold weather dangers include hypothermia, dry skin and cracked paws
Prevent dog cold weather dangers by limiting time outside, protecting your pup’s paws and putting your dog in a coat or sweater if necessary.

Many people fail to recognize dog cold weather dangers.

The recent cold snap in the U.S. brought disturbing reports of dogs that froze to death when careless owners left them outside for too long.

You need to protect even the hardiest of dogs when the temperature drops. Some people mistakenly think a dog’s coat will provide adequate protection, but once the temperature drops under 30 degrees, dogs, like people, can experience hypothermia if left out in the cold for too long.

Bottom line: If it’s too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for your dog.

Prevent dog cold weather dangers with these tips:

Dog cold weather dangers: Skin and coat

Alternating between your toasty, cozy home and the chilly outdoors can make your dog’s skin dry. Consider adding a supplement with fish oil to help prevent your dog’s skin from getting dry and flaky.

When your dog comes in from the snow, be sure to dry your dog’s coat immediately.

If you have a dog with an undercoat, think Siberian husky, Samoyed, Australian shepherd, or Shiba Inu, you may not need to put your dog in the cold on frigid days.

But if you have a short-haired dog with a single coat (such as Chihuahuas, Afghan hounds, and Salukis), consider getting your pup a jacket or sweater with a high collar that covers his body from his neck to the base of his tail.

Dog cold weather dangers: Paws

In addition to drying your dog’s coat, it’s essential to clean your dog’s paws. Pay particular attention to the area in-between your dog’s toes.

If your dog has walked through ice melt, be sure to wash your dog’s paws. The easiest way to do that is to run an inch or two of warm water in the bathtub to wash the chemicals off. Ice-melting chemicals can cause burns to your dog’s paws.

Consider adding extra protection to your dog’s paws by massaging petroleum jelly or other paw balms onto the pads. Another option is to buy booties for your dog to wear to prevent sand, salt, or ice melt pellets between their toes.

If you’re buying ice melt, be sure to purchase pet-friendly products.

Dog cold weather dangers: General health

If you can keep up your regular exercise schedule, the cold weather will make your dog burn more energy to stay warm. Consider feeding your pet a little bit extra. If you’re able to keep walking outside, consider breaking up your daily hour-long walk into shorter — and safer — 20- or 30-minute segments.

If, however, both you and your dog hate snow and ice and you’re not getting as much exercise as usual, consider adding some indoor exercise options. Cold weather offers an excellent opportunity to take your dog to agility classes or set up regular appointments for doggy daycare. Some inventive owners even train their dogs to walk on their treadmills.

And just as cars are dangerous for your dog in summer because they magnify the heat, they are similarly hazardous in winter because they amplify the cold, turning your car into a refrigerator.

Final warning: like coolant, antifreeze is a lethal poison for dogs and cats. Be sure to clean up any spills from your vehicle thoroughly, and consider using products that contain propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol.

Sara B. HansenSara B. Hansen has spent 20-plus years as a professional editor and writer. She’s also the author of The Complete Guide to Cocker Spaniels. She decided to create her dream job by launching DogsBestLife.com in 2011. Sara grew up with family dogs, and since she bought her first house, she’s had a furry companion or two to help make it a home. She shares her heart and home with Nutmeg, a Pembroke Welsh Corgi. Her previous dogs: Sydney (September 2008-April 2020), Finley (November 1993-January 2008), and Browning (May 1993-November 2007). You can reach Sara @ editor@dogsbestlife.com.

Related Posts

  • A pair of dogs snuggle together on snowy field. Dog cold weather guide
    Keep your dog safe in cold weather

    Dog winter safety tips: Make sure your dog gets plenty…

  • English Springer Spaniel gets its hair trimmed. Dog winter coat maintenance tips suggest keeping your dog's hair trimmed short on his feet and the back of his legs during winter.
    Do you know the right length for your dog's winter coat?

    Dog winter coat maintenance tips: Brush often, bathe rarely, add…

  • Winter dog exercise: Border collie uses a treadmill
    Keep your dog active during winter

    Dog winter exercise: Consider moving activity inside, use a treadmill…

  • dog winter ready
    Winter's coming. Is your dog ready?

    When the temperature drops it's not enough to just prepare…

Share this post:

Share on Facebook Share on Twitter Share on Pinterest Share on Email Share on Reddit

Filed Under: Dog Health, Home Page Tagged With: Dog safety

« Previous Post
Next Post »

Primary Sidebar

Follow Us

Categories

  • Adoption
  • Dog Breeds
  • Dog Facts
  • Dog Fun
  • Dog Grooming
  • Dog Health
  • Dog Inspirations
  • Dog Training
  • Dog Travel
  • Holidays
  • Home Page
  • Puppies
  • Top Stories

Featured Posts

  • Tricolor Australian shepherd in front of white background. Take steps to stop dog pawing.

    Canine body language: What’s your dog saying with his paws?

  • Cute corgi puppy wrapped in a blanket. Talk with your vet about starting your dog on medication to protect him from parasites including flea and tick prevention, as well as heartworm prevention.

    Puppy training 101: 10 tips to prepare your dog for success

  • Thinking of getting a furry friend? Use the DogsBestLife.com perfect dog breed quiz to find the perfect canine companion.

    Take our dog breed quiz to discover the perfect breed for you!

Tags

Service dogsRescue dogPotty trainingPandemicSeparation anxietyPoodlePet parentsPawPuppy-proofThanksgivingTwo dogsRottweilerPomeranianOutdoor activitiesWaterTicksWorking dogsValentine's DaySocializationtraining tipsVeterinarianYorkshire terrierPet sitterSmall dogsPuppy kindergartenPit bullSheddingVacation dog carePetfinder.comOld dogs

Footer

Quick Links

  • Home
  • Top Stories
  • Blog
  • What We Do
  • About Us
  • Contact Us

Recent Posts

  • What is a Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen? Meet the best in show breed
    The Petit Basset Griffon Vendéen is a small scent hound popular among dog lovers for its friendly nature and distinctive appearance. […]
  • Meet the 9 most popular large dog breeds that make great pets
    Now that you know more about the most popular large dog breeds, it's time to consider their merits and choose the right one. […]
  • Want to adopt? Use Petfinder.com to find your next pup
    PetFinder.com compiles pet info from rescue websites across the country into one spot for an easy search by breed, location, and more. […]
  • Is a large, muscular Cane Corso your dream dog?
    The Cane Corso needs an experienced owner. While bred to guard and intimidate, the dogs can be affectionate and docile if trained properly. […]

Get Our Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.

© Copyright 2023 DogsBestLife.com online magazine · All Rights Reserved · Privacy
Get Our Free Monthly Newsletter

Get more news to help keep your dog healthy delivered right to your inbox. Sign up for DogsBestLife.com's monthly newsletter.