Vet tells you when it’s too cold outside for your dog

When it comes to winter care, it doesn't matter whether you keep your pet outside or inside, either way it needs a little extra attention.

Most of the time, when we talk about winter care, the focus tends to be unwittingly on indoor dogs, because this seems to be the more common form of housing these days. But we must not forget that there are dogs kept outside and they need to be just as (if not more) alert to the dangers of winter weather!

Be sure to take this into account

Here are some things to bear in mind when trying to decide whether whether your pet is cold in the gloomy weather:

• Species: think about where your pet came from, the weather there and what its original function was. If you’re not sure, If you’re not sure, check our breed descriptions, and read up! This will give you an idea of what temperatures are generally ideal for your pet and when to consider alternatives.
• Size and coat: in general, larger dogs are better able to withstand the cold because they produce more heat and cool down more slowly. But this alone is not a sufficient indicator, because without the right coat, a dog is not protected without protection. This is why everything from wind to precipitation reaches his skin. If your pet has a double layer of fur, it is more likely to be able to withstand the cold.
• Age: Puppies, for example, are even more vulnerable, so until they have developed a normal coat and are approximately adult size, it is not recommended to consider keeping them outside. The next more critical age is old age. As time goes on, dogs find it harder to cope with the rigours of life and their joints (also) feel much better if they can lie down in a heated room, preferably on a soft bed.
• Individual circumstances: not all dogs are the same, and not all times are the same. Not all dogs are the same, and not all dogs are the same.

It is important not to leave ageing dogs, very young puppies or sick dogs outside under any circumstances, even if they would normally be kept outside, as they will not be able to control their own temperature.

– explained veterinarian Dr Edina Vada.

At what temperature is it really cold ?

This is a recurring question to which there is no single right answer, because “it depends”. It depends on the conditions above, the rainfall, the cover your pet has, how used it is to extreme weather and so on. In a word, there is no limit that applies to all dogs. Nevertheless, there are recommendations and estimates for what is considered too cold without cover and all the “extras”. It is worth adding that it is not usually specified within what time interval the following temperatures are a problem. But we can be almost certain that they do not refer to being outside all day without protection.

A Tufts Animal Care and Condition Scale (which does not address the coat of dogs, only their size), the following can be said:

• In dry weather, small dogs can be potentially dangerous at 4 degrees Celsius, at -4 degrees Celsius it is dangerous and at -7 degrees Celsius it can be life-threatening. In this order of danger, the temperature limits for medium dogs are 4, -4 and -12 degrees. Last but not least, for large dogs, the degrees Celsius are 1, -10 and -12.
• Even higher temperatures in wet weather can be potentially dangerous. Add two degrees to the listed temperatures to get an approximate position on the danger scale.

Not just the numbers are important

In the previous paragraph, a very temperature-specific approach was taken. However, it is not always accurate. There are many factors that can affect a dog’s current temperature and cold tolerance. If you are outside with your pet, these are the signs to look out for:

• shivering, trembling;
• slower breathing;
• slower heart rate;
• confusion;
• the dog is difficult to wake;
• weakness;
• frostbite;
• cold ears.

We also asked Dr Vada when she thinks it’s best to take dogs outside to a heated place. She pointed out that obviously everyone uses their own discretion, but she considers these values to be borderline (in addition to a well-insulated, functional dog house):

I think that if the temperature is consistently below -5 degrees Celsius, it can be cold for them, but obviously -5-10 degrees is still marginal. It’s very difficult to say, because if a dog is outside all the time, it will get used to it, its coat will be different, its covering and undercoat will change. However, below about -10 degrees I would take them inside (even in a garage or shed where the temperature is a bit warmer), at least for the night, to keep them warm. Obviously it depends on the breed and coat. A short-haired dog, for example, would be brought inside at -5 degrees, but a more furry one (a shepherd or sheepdog, or a dog that is specifically an outdoor dog) can be left outside for longer.

The doctor also stressed that if you do have to leave a dog outside in temperatures as low as -10-15 degrees Celsius, you should visit your pet several times a day to make sure it is in good condition. Also, check the dog house often (if it’s not soaked, if it’s insulated against the cold and wind) to make sure it has a safe place to escape the cold. If it’s very cold, or if you think your pet is struggling with the weather, at least let him into the hallway.