6 Ways To Protect Your Dog In Cold Winter Weather

Winter brings a unique set of challenges, especially if you’re a dog parent living in a northern climate. Between the wind chills and the ice-covered streets, winter may be the most challenging time to have a dog. That’s why it’s crucial to take precautions to protect your pup from the elements. Here are six strategies to make it through winter safe and sound.

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Limit Outdoor Time Below This Temperature

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If the outside temperature or wind chill is too brutal for you, it’s too much for your dog, says Kara Osterbur, D.V.M., M.S., critical care veterinarian at Veterinary Specialty Center in Buffalo Grove, Ills. On these days, keep bathroom breaks short and forego your normal walk for indoor activities like hide and seek and at-home training lessons (and consider feeding your dog 25 percent less on these less active days).

A couple basic guidelines: According to some experts, when temperatures dip below 32 F, dogs that are small, very old, very young, or have thin coats and minimal body fat are at risk for cold-related problems and their owners should keep walks short; and below 20 F, all dogs are at risk. How do you know if you should head inside STAT? Shivering, acting anxious, whining, slowing down, or holding up one or more paws are all signs to head somewhere warm.

Even more importantly, if you have an outdoor dog, either bring your dog indoors or at the very least, provide an insulated, heated shelter with fresh water in bowls that won’t freeze. See a dog outside without this protection? Don’t be scared to call police or animal control. “You could be that dog’s last chance,” she adds.

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Be Extra Careful On Ice

Ice isn’t only hazardous to people but dogs, too. “We often get dogs in the emergency room who have broken legs and ligament tears because of falls on ice,” Osterbur says. If the streets are skating rinks, limit your dog’s time outdoors and clear an ice-free path for your dog to go outdoors. Also, keep your dog away from ponds. They might look frozen, but one crack could send your dog plummeting into a potentially fatal situation. (Here are 5 first-aid essentials every pet owner should know.)

Dress Your Pup For Cold Weather

While there’s no definitive rule about what dog is best suited for a sweater or coat, a few guidelines can help. First, if your dog’s hair is thin, short or smooth (think Chihuahua or smooth fox terrier), a coat or sweater is wise. “These dogs generally lack sufficient hair or hair length to keep air trapped near the surface of the skin to retain body heat,” says Patrick Mahaney, V.M.D., C.V.A., C.V.J., house-call veterinarian and owner of California Pet Acupuncture and Wellness in Los Angeles.

Consider body fat, too. Thin or well-muscled dogs like greyhounds, Weimaraners, pit bull and bull terriers often don’t have much body fat to insulate their muscles and other tissues. You should also use a coat if your dog is sick, has mobility issues or is either young or old, as these conditions make it harder for dogs to acclimate to cold.

Just make sure the coat or sweater is properly fitted. If the coat compresses any body part, it could constrict blood flow and cause discomfort. One way to tell you have the right fit? Check that you can slide your index and middle fingers between the coat and your pet’s fur, Mahaney says.

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Protect Your Dog's Paws From Snow And Salt

Your dogs’ paws are constantly exposed to the elements, but salt and snow can be especially problematic in winter. “Salt causes physical pain on their paws, and if they lick their paws, salt toxicity, too,” Osterbur says. Symptoms of salt toxicity include vomiting and diarrhea. Call your vet immediately if you suspect your dog is suffering from this. To prevent them from eating salt, wipe their paws with a dry towel, making sure you get all salt off, after being outside. Also be sure to use pet-friendly de-icing products around your house (if possible, ask your neighborhood to do the same) such as Safe Paw Ice Melter. Watch that snow, too. Snow can clump in dogs’ pads and cause bleeding. If possible, introduce your dog to boots, paw protectors, or a paw-shielding wax.

Beware The Antifreeze Attraction

Antifreeze might not look sweet, but it has a sweet taste that appeals to dogs. Yet if they ingest it and don’t get treated quickly, they could develop antifreeze toxicity which could be fatal. Symptoms include vomiting, diarrhea, seizures and ultimately, kidney failure and death. Call your vet, an animal poison control center, or an emergency pet hospital immediately. “Not all antifreeze brands carry the toxic substance so treatment recommendations may vary,” Osterbur says, adding, though, that any pet who’s ingested antifreeze and looks sick should be seen immediately.

To avoid accidents in the first place, keep antifreeze containers in a safe place away from pets; and if you notice that your car has an antifreeze leak (it's a bright green or blue color), be sure to clean it up thoroughly from your driveway or garage floor.

Keep Leftover Holiday Chocolates Out Of Reach

So many celebrations in winter involve chocolate—one study found that the risk of chocolate poisonings spike at certain times of the year, including the Christmas period—and while certain types of chocolate might be good for humans, chocolate is toxic to dogs. Yet their reaction to it will depend on the amount they ate and their size. “A large dog can eat more chocolate than a small dog before issues arise,” Osterbur says. Symptoms can include vomiting and diarrhea, excitability, racing heart, seizures, and in some cases, death. Call your vet, emergency vet hospital or animal poison control center right away to determine if your dog has ingested enough chocolate to be a problem.

Baker’s and dark chocolate are the most problematic, followed by milk and white chocolate. Note, though, that even if your dog didn’t ingest a toxic dose, he or she could still become sick after eating a high-fat meal. Let your vet know if your dog then develops diarrhea or vomiting or if your dog stops eating.