If you've ever seen a dog outside in inclement weather, you've probably wondered If a dog can freeze to deathor at what temperature a dog is cold. We can tell you that low temperatures not only affect the well-being of dogs, but also, in many cases, can cause severe conditions in their body, such as hypothermia, frostbite or pneumonia
In this article on our site we will talk about how the cold affects dogs, since a simple cold can easily turn into pneumonia, which can be very dangerous for your dog's he alth. Don't hesitate to consult a veterinarian with any questions you may have.
At what temperature is a dog cold?
It is not easy to determine what temperature a dog can tolerate, so we will start by looking at the type of hair Hairless dog breeds and those with short hair will suffer more from the cold than those with a long coat. Likewise, those that can best withstand low temperatures are dogs with a double coat of hair, which have an internal fleece, as is the case of the Siberian husky or the Alaskan malamute.
In the Nordic countries, dogs can withstand temperatures below 0ºC, however, we are talking about defined times in which, in addition the dog practices physical exercise, as is the case of dogs that perform mushing, that is, sled races.
The animal's immune system, atmospheric conditions (such as wind speed and humidity) as well as many other factors can intervene and make the temperature at which a dog is cold variable.
Are dogs cold if they sleep outside?
From our site we do not advise leaving a dog outside the home when it is winter and temperatures drop, as this predisposes him to suffering from cold and even the appearance of certain associated pathologies.
A dog that lives outside in winter and also does not have a properly insulated house, including blankets and coats, is very likely to be cold.
How do I know if my dog is cold?
If your dog has access to the outdoors or lives away from home, you may notice that his behavior has dropped with the arrival of low temperatures and you may want to find out how to know if yourdog is cold and sad.
Below we show you the symptoms that a dog is cold:
- Muscular stiffness
- Tremors
- Excessive sleepiness
- Lack of mobility
- Dry Skin
- Awkward movements
- Slow breathing
We will observe that the dog hides in the areas of the house or outside that are warmer. For this reason, we advise you to pay attention to your dog's reactions, to prevent muscle injuries, numbness or the onset of hypothermia.
Causes of low body temperature in dogs
It is very likely that prolonged exposure to cold causes a drop in body temperature in dogs, but in addition, dogs with a weak immune system, sick (especially in cases of hypothyroidism), those who are under the effects of anesthesia and all those vulnerable individuals, such as puppies, newborn dogs, pregnant females or elderly dogs are much more susceptible to experiencing cold and, therefore, to presenting a low body temperature
Cold Illnesses
In the seasons of low temperatures, mainly in the winter, your dog could contract some joint disease such as osteoarthritis in dogs, especially if he is elderly. Likewise, infectious tracheobronchitis, also known as kennel cough, is another problem that can manifest itself in winter and autumn. It is a viral disease that is quite difficult to cure, even when it is not serious.
In the most severe cases, the dog may experience pneumonia, hypothermia, and frostbite.
When symptoms appear that may indicate that our dog is sick, such as cough, runny nose and weakness, it is highly recommended visit our veterinarian.
So, can a dog freeze to death?
When exposure to cold is prolonged and recurrent, the dog begins to experience some of the diseases that we have mentioned above, which can also worsen if we do not provide adequate treatment. In cases of hypothermia, the dog can experience frostbite which, if not treated promptly and effectively can be fatal
How to prevent my dog from being cold?
With the arrival of low temperatures, it is essential to take into account the following precautions to prevent our dog from dying of cold:
- The dog should stay indoors when temperatures are very low.
- We will pay special attention to feeding the dog in winter if it spends many hours outside.
- We will walk our dog during the hottest hours of the day whenever possible.
- You should offer your dog a warm and comfortable bed and, if possible, you should cover dogs to sleep, especially if they have short hair or, directly, they are bald. In addition, you should keep your home at a suitable room temperature.
- If your dog is particularly cold, put a coat on him when you leave the house. If you use it inside, it will be important that you remove it for a while on a daily basis, so that your skin can breathe. Also, you should wash it regularly.
- If you are in the habit of cutting your hair, you should consider carefully when to take it to the dog groomer, as it is important that it has its normal length in winter and autumn, in this way it will be well protected from the cold. During these seasons it is advisable to trim only the hairs that are around the pads, this way you will prevent ice from accumulating when you take him for a walk.
- Completely avoid bathing him outside and opt for a visit to a dog groomer or for the bathroom inside the home, where you should dry quickly and thoroughly after the hygiene routine.
- When you go out for a walk and it rains or snows you can put a waterproof coat on it, we also recommend drying it thoroughly with a towel when you arrive at house with a towel.
- It is very important that you take care of his ears during the cold, since most of them are very sensitive and if not they are kept very dry they could get an ear infection.
To finish, we will talk about care of the pads, which can be affected by snow, cracking excessively, which It causes severe pain and difficulty walking. In that case, you should keep them hydrated with creams so that they can enjoy their outings in the cold without any problem.
And if you want more information on this topic, don't hesitate to visit our article on caring for your dog in winter, a basic guide that every owner should know.
