How to PROTECT a DOG from the COLD? Check it out! [+video] (2023)

Do all dogs feel the cold since they often have such thick coats and seem to enjoy running in the snow? It’s a common question dog guardians ask themselves. In this animal-wise article, we answer this question by identifying how to tell a dog is cold and how we can protect them from low temperatures. Do all dogs feel the cold the same way? There are a number of dog breeds better suited to enduring the cold due to the development of a thick undercoat during winter, which protects against low temperatures. Some examples include the Alaskan Malamute, the Siberian Husky, and the Saint Bernard.

Not all breeds possess the ability to grow an undercoat and need help protecting against the icy breeze. These dogs include chihuahuas, the French Bulldog, the Yorkshire Terrier, and the Chinese Crested Dog. These latter breeds have very short hair, barely shed their coats, or have little to no hair in the first place in all breeds. Puppies and elderly dogs are more susceptible to the cold. If our dog falls into any of these categories, then we know they definitely need help keeping warm. However, any dog will be cold at a low enough temperature, so it’s important to observe for any of the following signs: indications that your dog is cold Tremors are the main sign your dog is cold.

When they begin to shiver, it’s most likely they feel the low temperature unless they have a medical condition that causes tremors. If you notice they breathe slower or have difficulty doing so, it could be they feel the cold. Low temperatures can also lead to muscle stiffness, increasing the visibility of tremors. Another effect of a cold is that your dog is tired and sleeps more than usual, especially if they squirm or try to sleep on top of themselves. It’s because they feel the cold and want to conserve heat, especially with hairless dogs.

Low temperatures can cause their skin to dry out and become flaky, which must be treated now that you know how to tell if a dog is cold, we can present three different ways to protect them in winter: provide a suitable place to sleep if your dog normally sleeps in the garden or an outdoor area, we recommend you move their bed inside the home so they can feel the heat and avoid getting sick; if, for whatever reason, you are unable to have the dog inside, we recommend you Find out more about where a dog should sleep in the article that we share here.

• If you live somewhere with cold winters, give them a blanket so they can keep warm.
• Additionally, there are thermal blankets or heated mats which can be used to keep them warm.
• We can put these on top if they are to rest through the night.

If your dog trembles from the cold and blankets are not enough to keep them from shivering, then you should check the material their bed is made from. They may need something which is better insulated. Consider buying specialized clothes for your dog and putting them on before going for a walk. You can also purchase dog sweaters, which are usually knitted and cover the dog from the abdomen to the neck. Being slightly thinner than jackets, they are better suited to the fall or early winter seasons.

Dog coats are usually made from insulated materials, which are most resistant to cold and therefore provide more protection in this way. We recommend choosing this garment for them in the winter, but you will also need to bear in mind that an insulating coat can negatively affect their well-being when temperatures rise. This is why you will need to pay attention to the weather and only put clothes on when needed. Last, if you live somewhere where snow is common, your dog may also need some boots, especially if they refuse to step in the snow due to the cold or the sensation that it produces. If you want to know more about the pros and cons of clothing for dogs, check out the article we share here.

Tell us how you protect your dog from the cold. Leave us a comment, and we’ll see you next time.

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References:

• “Retired Racing Greyhounds For Dummies” by Lee Livingood – Wiley, 2011
• “Dogs: A Startling New Understanding of Canine Origin, Behavior & Evolution” by Raymond Coppinger, Lorna Coppinger – Scribner, 2001
• “Uqalurait: An Oral History of Nunavut” by John R. Bennett, Susan Rowley – McGill-Queen’s University Press, 2004
• “Small Animal Critical Care Medicine E-Book” by Deborah Silverstein, Kate Hopper – Elsevier Health Sciences, 2022
• “Thunder from the Sea” by Joan Hiatt Harlow – Margaret K. McElderry Books, 2010