Are the dogs cold? This is, without a doubt, one of the most frequently asked questions by dog guardians when winter is coming, and if they already have a layer of hair that protects them from low temperatures, why do they shiver when they are outside? If you are also looking for an answer to this and more questions related to the cold and dogs, you have come to the right place!
In this article on our site we will help you identify the symptoms of cold in dogs, the consequences it can have on them and how to protect them to avoid them. Keep reading and discover how to know if your dog is cold so you can help him.
Are dogs cold?
The first thing to clarify is that, like us, dogs feel hot and cold, regardless of breed and type of hair they have. What these last factors will do is determine the degree of cold or heat that the animal can withstand. In this way, dogs have a layer of hair and fat on the skin that act as natural thermal protectors. This layer of hair sheds twice a year, one in spring and another in autumn, to prepare its body for the change in temperature and adapt it. However, on many occasions this layer of hair can become insufficient during the winter and, therefore, allow the cold to penetrate our dog.
There are a number of breeds of dogs that can withstand the cold, adapted to these climates, which are capable of generating more or less amounts of undercoat during shedding to better protect themselves from low temperatures, so they will hardly require our help to support them. Some examples are the Alaskan Malamute, the Siberian Husky or the Saint Bernard. On the other hand, there are others that are not so lucky and their nature does not offer them this possibility, so we must be careful to prevent our dog from getting cold. Dogs such as the Chihuahua, the French bulldog, the Yorkshire or the Chinese Crested tend to be the most vulnerable to falling temperatures. This is so because they are breeds that have very short hair, barely shed their fur or have no hair at all. On the other hand, puppies and older dogs are also more likely to get cold more easily. If we have a companion that meets these characteristics, it will be easy to know if he needs to be protected from winter, but if we don't have it so clear, how do we know if our dog is cold?
How do I know if my dog is cold?
How do I know if my dog is cold at home or outside? To answer this question, ask yourself the following question: how does your body react to the cold? With tremors! The dog's body is no exception and, therefore, tremors are the main symptom of cold in dogs. Whether he is inside the house or outside, if your dog starts to shiver, it is most likely because he feels that he is cold. However, this is not the only sign that can alert us to this, and there are other symptoms of cold in dogs to which we will have to pay attention:
- Slow breathing and movements If you notice that your dog is breathing more slowly than normal or even that he has difficulty breathing, it is possible that he is cold and is catching a cold because of it. Also, slowed mobility can be added to this sign due to muscle stiffness caused by low temperatures.
- Increased sleep Is your dog more tired? Do you sleep more than usual? If so, it may be a consequence of the cold and you will have to put measures in place to help him bear it. Also, observe his posture when sleeping. If you squirm as if you want to cover yourself with your own body, you most certainly need to cover yourself with a blanket or warm clothing.
- Dry skin. Hairless dogs especially can have dry skin if they feel very cold, a fact that you will have to treat immediately to restore vitality to their skin and keep it in perfect condition.
Some dogs may have a cold body and this is a symptom of cold, however, it is not a sign that it is always present, so it is preferable to be guided by the previous symptoms. On the other hand, if you notice that your dog is stiff in a specific part of his body, you should massage the area very carefully to offer him your warmth and try to alleviate the symptoms. If after a few minutes you do not notice any improvement, you will have to take it to the vet immediately.
At what temperature is a dog cold?
As it happens with people, each dog is different and not all feel cold at the same temperature. However, in general, it is from the 8thwhen they begin to show symptoms of cold, so it is convenient to protect them if we are in our place of residence. this temperature or lower.
Consequences of cold in dogs
Now that you know the symptoms of cold in dogs, you should know that not acting to relieve them can trigger the appearance of respiratory problems and serious pathologies such as hypothermia. Next, we show you the most common:
- A cold
- Bronchitis
- Laryngitis
- Pharyngitis
- Pneumonia
Although these are the most common illnesses in dogs during winter, they are not the only ones, so protecting them from the cold is a mandatory task for guardians if we want to ensure their well-being and maintain their he alth. In this way, if you suspect that your dog is cold and may suffer from any of these pathologies, don't hesitate and go to the vet as soon as possible. In particular, pneumonia can only be treated with antibiotics that must be prescribed by a specialist, so act quickly and offer the best care to your dog.
How to protect my dog from the cold?
The first thing to check to protect your dog from the cold is his sleeping spaceIf your dog usually sleeps in the garden or another outdoor area, from our site we recommend that you think about it and move his bed inside the home so that he can feel the heat and not get sick. Now, if for whatever reason you don't have space, can dogs sleep outside in winter? It depends on the conditions in which they sleep, that is, if they are going to sleep on the street, the answer is no, but if they have a heated doghouse, well equipped, with blankets and well-protected beds, they can. However, we insist that it is best to sleep as protected from the cold as possible.
If you live in a place where temperatures drop uncontrollably, Provide him a blanket so that he can cover himself if is cold will be mandatory. Likewise, there are blankets or thermal mats that we can use to heat our dog's bed or to put it directly on it and allow it to rest warm all night. And if your dog is shivering from the cold and the blankets do not calm him down, then we advise you to check if his bed is the most suitable or it is time to change it for one made with more insulating materials.
In addition to these measures, you will have to consider the possibility of buying warm clothing for your dog and putting it on before going out for a walk. Remember that, just as you cover yourself with layers of clothing to go outside and avoid getting cold, your furry companion also needs an extra layer if he meets the aforementioned characteristics (short fur or no hair). Within the wide variety of clothing for dogs, sweaters and coats stand out as the most practical, comfortable and effective:
Dog sweaters
They are usually knitted and cover the dog's neck and trunk to help him fight the cold. Being slightly thinner than coats, they are more recommended for the autumn and early winter seasons. Keep in mind that overprotecting the animal from the cold can have the opposite effect and lead to the appearance of hot flashes, so do not opt for a coat until temperatures reach their lowest point. Likewise, there are jumpers that have a fleece lining for the most vulnerable dogs. When selecting the most suitable for your dog, you will have to look at the variety of sizes and choose the one that meets the dorsal length of your dog.
Dog coats
As we mentioned, coats are usually made of materials that are more resistant to the cold and, therefore, protect our dog more. In this way, we recommend choosing this garment of warm clothing for dogs when winter has already invaded us. Here we have more possibilities, and there are coats that only cover the trunk area of the animal and others that include a large part of the legs and neck. You will have to opt for one or the other depending on the needs of your dog, because if you notice that it feels very cold when you take it out for a walk and even has trouble walking, you should get a full coat.
Since dogs have a winter coat and a summer coat, don't wear dog clothing outside of the cold season. Although it may seem to you that he is really beautiful with the garment on, you should think about his comfort and well-being.
Dog boots
Lastly, we mention boots for those cold dogs who live in places where snow is common. In the same way that not all dogs need clothes, they do not all need boots either, but there are some that may refuse to walk in the snow due to the cold or the sensation that its touch produces. For these cases, do not miss this other article: "How to take a dog to the snow?".
Do we have to cover the dogs to sleep?
Again, everything depends on your dog's needs If you notice that your dog is cold in winter, don't hesitate and leave him a warm blanket on his bed so he can cover himself if he needs to. In any case, as he will remove it in case of getting hot, it doesn't hurt to leave it on cold nights.
On the other hand, if you realized late that your dog was cold and shows clear symptoms of dry skin, you will have to get a moisturizing shampoo for dogs in order to combat dryness and restore vitality to your skin. Remember that, as a caregiver, you have a series of responsibilities that you must fulfill if you want to have a he althy, cheerful and happy dog by your side. Offer all your love and the best care to protect your dog from the cold and keep it cool in summer.
