We live in Canda & that means 5-6 months of cold weather.  Although we do acclimatize somewhat, there are days when it is too cold for walkies.  I usually tell huMom when that is for me but she will often make that dogcision for us. Some dogs can handle cold better than others but even they need to be pawtected from weather. There are pawticulars that can affect how us dogs respond to the cold & how cold is too cold for a good dog.

Hi CEO Olivia here to  yap about just that. 

Let’s look at the dogs themself.  What size is the dog? Did you nose that dogs lose most of their heat through their skin. We do! Small dogs have a larger surface area to volume ratio compared to big dogs, which means, they have a bigger surface to lose heat through & a smaller area “inside” to hold on to heat. Therefore, small dogs get colder faster than large dogs.

How about their weight?  Body fat is a good insulator, so thin dogs will feel the cold quicker. Even thought fat is a good insulator, the health risks of being overweight far outweigh (no pun intended) any benefits, so don’t let your dog get thick in pawparation for the cold months.

Siberian Huskies & Newfoundlands dogs have thick, double-layered coats  & tend to tolerant the cold better than dogs with thin coats, like me. If your good dog has a very thin coat like me, you will want to bundling them up before heading outside. HuMom will often put on my ThunderShirt then a sweater or coat before we go out.

Your good dog’s age & health are pawsitively impawtant to consider. I nose that when I was sick I didn’t like being out in the cold. As well, senior dogs may not be able to regulate our body temperatures as well as healthy dogs in their prime of life. Puppies may have less body fat to act as insulation & because they are smaller, their size works against their ability to stay warm.

There are other impawtant factors to note when taking us outside in the cold. 

Wind chill will make it feel colder than the thermometer reads & a strong cold breeze can cut through a good dog’s fur, which will  decrease our ability to insulate & pawtect against the cold. Playing or going for a brisk walkie outside may help us generate enough extra body heat to keep us comfortable even if the temperature is low. However, if you notice us shivering, acting anxious, slowing down, whining, or holding up one or more paws, it’s time to go back inside & warm up.

Cloud cover & dampness are also big factors in how comfortable we are in the cold.  When there is no sun shining we can’t absorb its heat like we can on sunny days.  It’s also true that any form of dampness that soaks through our fur can make us feel colder even if the air temperature feels mild.

Cold should not be an issue for most of us dogs until the temperature falls below 7C or 45 F, at which point for some dogs they may begin to feel uncomfortable. When temperatures drop under 0C or 32 F, smaller breeds, 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 under -7C or 20 F, humans need to be aware that their good dogs could develop cold-associated health issues like hypothermia or frostbite when outside for prolonged periods of time.

Of course, we need to go outside to do our business when it’s cold. Most of us will quickly take care of business so we can get back inside where it’s warm; for me, by the wood stove. If the snow is deep, my huMom shovels my business office so me & Eddy don’t have to walk through deep snow.

Please don’t leave us good dog unsupervised outdoors when conditions are cold or extreme. Its best to be with us & keep a close eye on our behavior. If you notice any signs of frostbite or hypothermia, including sluggishness, confusion, severe shivering (which may stop as hypothermia progresses), & parts of the body that appear pale & are cool to the touch call your veterinarian.  

Have a pawsome week & stay warm, CEO Olivia, Dot, Jerry Underfoot & Eddy 💜  

 

 

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