DOG CARE IN COLD WEATHER

 

DOG CARE IN COLD WEATHER

The beginning of 2025 was particularly cold across the UK, with ice and snow across much of the country. Dogs still need exercise, whatever the weather (and let’s not forget cats too, who also need to be let out), so what can you do to help keep your pets warm and look after them when the thermometer dips? Read on to find out. We also look at what dogs do to keep themselves warm in cold and wet conditions, and how a quality Dog Coat and other accessories for dogs keep them warm and dry.

2025 began with particularly cold weather across the UK. The month of January saw a particularly cold start to the year, with ice and snow in many parts of the country. Some parts of Scotland experienced temperatures of -14°C or below in January 2025, with Altnaharra in the Highlands recording -18.9°C. Even normally milder places in England, Wales and Northern Ireland experienced sub-zero temperatures. Maisey Daisey is based in Leek in Staffordshire where it has been known for the temperature to drop to a Baltic -12!

It just goes to show that – no matter where you are in the UK – you can experience cold weather that means you should take additional care of your dog. Read on to find out how.

Walking your dog in cold weather

Cold weather makes it potentially problematic - or even actually unsafe - to walk your dog outside for a prolonged period of time. So, depending on the size and breed of your dog, you might well need to keep a close eye on the weather forecast and the temperature outside before you venture out.

Even when the thermometer dips and it’s cold out, dogs still need exercise and to go outside for obvious reasons (not forgetting cats too, who also need to be let out), but did you know that there is a sliding scale of ambient outdoor temperature and size of dog to help you work out when it’s too cold to walk your dog outside?

For small dogs, even temperatures of 7°C to 10°C mean ‘walk with care’. This changes to ‘potentially unsafe’ when the temperature drops to between 4°C and to -1°C. Taking a small dog out when the thermometer drops to -4°C is considered ‘dangerous’, and below -5°C is ‘potentially life-threatening’!

For medium-sized dogs, they’re fine down to 7°C, but ‘potentially unsafe’ within the range of 4°C to -1. Below -4°C is considered ‘dangerous’, with -12°C ‘potentially life-threatening’ (indeed, -12 is considered ‘potentially life-threatening’ for all sizes of dog, even large dogs, according to the chart).

As far as large dogs are concerned, if the temperature outside really plummets – to freezing or below – it’s classed as ‘potentially unsafe’ to walk even large dogs outside. Don’t forget that wind chill could also make the air temperature feel even colder.

In temperatures of 1°C or less it’s ‘potentially unsafe’ to walk large dogs, all the way down to -6°C, and when it’s -12°C out then it’s considered ‘potentially life-threatening’ for large dogs too.

If you absolutely must go out with your dog, shorten your walks in extreme cold – both in terms of distance covered and time outside. Maybe even to “once around the block” distance and duration. This short walk is enough, and it means that you both get back inside in the warm quickly. Being dry and in a comfortable temperature should take precedence over your established regular dog walk routine in extreme cold weather conditions.

Some breeds cope with cold weather better than others

What the chart and guidelines don’t take into account is the breed of your dog. As such, the sliding scale should be regarded as for guidance only, as it goes off dog size, not dog breed.

Some breeds of dog will cope with cold weather better than others. As the Pooch and Mutt website says, dogs that have been “bred for cold temperatures...can thrive in very cold conditions - even as low as -30°C! - because they’re genetically adapted to snowy weather”.

But the website does concede that “most adult dogs with mid-length coats will start to feel uncomfortably cold at around -6°C, whereas puppies, senior dogs or small, short-haired dogs shouldn’t be taken outside when it’s below freezing temperatures (0°C)”, which is in accordance with the chart and its guidelines.

Some breeds - like Siberian Huskies, Bernese Mountain Dogs, Newfoundlands, St. Bernards, Old English Sheepdogs, Alaskan Malamutes, Irish Wolfhounds and even Golden Retrievers - are particularly well adapted to cold conditions. Those breeds have thick double coats that help to protect them from the cold.

Other breeds have very different coats and physiological characteristics that make them particularly prone to feeling the cold. For instance, Whippets, Greyhounds and Chihuahuas have thin coats and lose heat quickly. This is why you frequently see these breeds in dog onesies, dog jumpers or dog coats in the colder months when they’re out and about.

Some breeds of dog are completely furless, but most dogs have fur. A dog's natural coat is designed to trap air and insulate them. In cold weather, a dog's fur will stand up to help trap heat in the same way as human hair does, or the way modern deep pile fleece fabrics mimic nature and keep body heat in. In the same way as humans feel the cold if they get their cut short in winter, even breeds with thicker fur will notice the colder temperatures if they’ve been taken to the dog groomers recently and had a close trim!

Dogs have extremities too

Dogs have extremities too - ears, feet, and tails - which usually don’t have much fur, and, in the same way that human hands, feet and ears get cold when it’s chilly out, a dog’s extremities are prone to feeling the cold first.

What can you do to help keep dogs and cats warm and dry – both indoors and outside

Inside where you live is warm and dry, with carpets, floorboards and possibly even underfloor heating and your pets are nice and toasty indoors with dog beds and cat beds to lie in, but what can you do to help keep them warm (and dry) when they do eventually have to venture outside?

The BBC website has a great article on ‘How to look after dogs and cats in cold weather’ and other domestic animals too (https://www.bbc.com/news/uk-68005681.amp) and it includes practical advice on how to keep your pets warm indoors, but it also has a really good section on walking your dog in cold weather. It says that “Despite the cold weather dogs still need walks to help keep them active”, which is true of course. “Usually, their fur will keep them warm. But some dogs, particularly those with shorter fur, will need extra help staying warm on their walkies.”

The article quotes PDSA Veterinary Nurse Gemma Renwick, who said:

"For most dogs, their own lovely fur coat is insulation enough, but those with thin fur, or who are unwell, very old or young, may benefit from a good winter coat. Look for something well-fitting, waterproof but with a comfy lining."

We will look at what makes a good winter dog coat in more detail later on.

Simple tweaks to your daily dog walk routine for cold weather conditions

The BBC article goes on to talk about how some simple tweaks to your daily dog walk routine can help ensure that your dog doesn’t get too cold (or wet) when you’re out and about outdoors in chilly conditions.

“As the temperatures drop, plan for shorter, more frequent walks rather than one long-distance hike daily and if your dog gets wet, always dry them off with a towel as soon as you get home.”

We’ll talk about dog towels and drying robes later on too - as we also sell those as well as dog coats - but don’t forget that icy pavements and snowy conditions underfoot (and under paws) also affect your dog as well as yourself:

“Any build-up of salt, grit, dirt or snow can be painful, so be sure to check and rinse their paws.”

What about cats?

What about cats? Wintery weather might not have that much of an impact on your cat’s daily routine, but as the article also says, “ideally [cats] should stay inside overnight during cold weather”. And, “during the day, cats should be given the choice to go out if they're used to going outside”. Hardy and intrepid cats “determined to explore despite the snow and cold” should always be able to “get back inside through a cat flap”, or at least “have [a] warm shelter they can go to” so they’re not left out in the cold.

Can dogs keep themselves warm?

Yes, in actual fact, dogs can keep themselves warm. But some breeds and individual dogs may well need a bit of extra help in cold weather and conditions.

Like we mentioned earlier, dogs have evolved and adapted physiologically to cope with the cold, including having fur coats and a higher body temperature than humans, both of which help dogs to tolerate colder temperatures more comfortably when outside with you. However, again, this varies from breed to breed and individual dog to dog, and your dog might be more sensitive to lower temperatures indoors and outdoors. If that’s the case then your dog will exhibit behaviour and give you signals that she or he is chilly and doesn’t want to go out for a walk.

What are the signs that your dog is too cold?

Signs that your dog is too cold include shivering, reluctance to go outside (or to walk very far when you are outside), or curling up into a ball for warmth. Read your dog’s behaviour and signals, and learn to recognise the signs that your dog is too cold and doesn’t want to go out.

Dogs lose heat through their paws in cold conditions

Another way dogs keep warm – and lose heat - is through their paws. This explains why some small dogs will be reluctant to walk on cold surfaces in winter if it’s very chilly out and the ground is frosty. Dogs do keep a warm blood supply to their paws, even in the cold, which helps keep them warm, but there is a limit to this.

Your dog might slam on the anchors, whimper and refuse to walk any further when you take them out, as they don’t want to walk on the cold ground or pavement. This behaviour isn’t your dog being naughty or stubborn or wilful – their paws might be too cold. If that happens and you can physically pick your dog up, try and warm them up a bit and you may well have to carry them until you reach home or they are warm enough to walk again – whichever happens first.

The size, age and health of your dog

As well as breed and breed characteristics, the size of your dog plays a large part in how warm they stay in cold weather. Larger dogs do have more natural insulation and as a result stay warm longer than smaller dogs. Age and health also have an important role to play. Puppies, senior dogs, and sick dogs get colder more quickly. 

Proven ways to help keep your dog warm

There are well-known and proven ways to help keep your dog warm, including some that Maisey Daisey can help you and your dog with.

A good quality warm dog coat

It may sound obvious, but the first and in many ways the best thing you can do to keep your dog warm when you’re outside is provide them with a good quality warm dog coat (https://maiseydaisey.com/collections/dog-coat-collection).

If your dog has a short natural coat, you can provide them with a more substantial, thicker, winter weight warm dog coat or dog jumper. This adds an extra layer and weather protection, providing insulation and trapping warm air between the outer fabric and your dog’s fur.

Our Dog Coats Collection at Maisey Daisey Ltd features a variety of stylish and functional dog coat options to keep your furry friend warm and protected, including waxed dog coats, dog rain coats and dog coats for sporting and working dogs. We also have 2-in-1 harness coats for dogs. These versatile dog coats combine the functionality of a harness with a warm outer layer, making them perfect for chilly days. Easy to put on and take off, the 2-in-1 harness coat provides close dog control, comfort and warmth for you and your dog.

With each purchase, you're not only looking after your dog but also supporting dog rescue, as we donate 10% of our profits to help dogs in need. So, ensure your furry friend stays warm, dry, and stylish all year round and whatever the weather, while supporting a great cause!

In the same way that humans can get hypothermia, wind and water affect dogs too. Wind chill and immersion in water or a wet coat can make a dog feel cold more quickly – again, depending on the thickness of their natural coat. Another great feature of dog coats is that they can also be waterproof as well as warm. If the rain runs off the outer fabric of the waterproof dog coat (https://maiseydaisey.com/products/water-proof-dog-coat) it won’t soak through to your dog’s fur, helping them to keep warm in cold and wet weather.

Protect your dog’s paws

Secondly, there are things you can do to help protect your dog’s paws, which are in direct contact with the cold ground. As we’ve seen, your dog’s paws, ears, tail - and nose too - are much more exposed to the cold than the rest of their body and, therefore, can be much more sensitive to the cold.

Chemicals, rock salt and grit put down on pavements and roads to help prevent ice and slippery surfaces can actually be an irritant to your dog, who – unlike us – doesn’t have anything between them and the road or pavement surface. That is, unless you put them in dog bootees of course.

If you’ve been for a dog walk on an icy day or even a frosty one, make sure that you take the time to check your dog’s paws for cracks or bleeding - both before you set off to go out and after you get back from your walk too. As PDSA Veterinary Nurse Gemma Renwick says “be sure to check and rinse their paws”. If your dog’s paws do look irritated you could try a good quality dog paw balm to soothe them, reduce the irritation and repair the paw pads.

Dog drying towels and dog drying robes

Thirdly, a dog drying towel and a dog drying robe or dog drying coat also helps your dog to dry off and warm up after getting wet – either through being immersed in water or getting wet on a walk in the snow, rain or drizzle.

Dog Drying Coats (https://maiseydaisey.com/collections/drying-coats) are designed to get your dog dry quickly and keep them warm, making them an ideal post-swim or post-walk solution for your cold and wet dog.

Bring them with you if you know that your dog is definitely going to get wet on your walk or time outdoors, or have them ready to dry off your dog as soon as you both get back to the car or get inside the house.

Our premium collection of Collared Creatures Dog Drying Coats is designed specifically for wet dogs. Made with high-quality microfiber towelling and fleece, these quick-drying coats help keep your dog warm and dry after wet walks (or swims).

Dog Blankets

After walks in chilly weather, once your dog has been dried off, dog blankets can help her or him to warm up even more. Dog blankets are especially beneficial for dogs with short natural coats or those more prone to getting cold quickly.

Our range of premium warm and cosy dog blankets (https://maiseydaisey.com/collections/blankets-and-throws) are handmade here in the UK using only the best materials, including sherpa fleece and faux fur.

Dog Food

Lastly, did you know that the food you feed your dog also helps to keep them warm?

Of course, you give your dog a nutritious diet for energy, whatever the weather or time of year, but this is particularly important in winter. A healthy, balanced diet helps support your dog’s energy needs, especially in cold weather. As dogs burn more calories staying warm during the autumn and winter, it's really important that you give them high-quality nutritious dog food that fuels them properly. Look for dog foods rich in protein and healthy fats, which can help maintain your dog’s energy levels and support their overall health during the colder months. Just make sure that the dog food isn’t too calorie dense if your dog is overweight though.

Here at Maisey Daisey, we stock Salubrious Food (https://maiseydaisey.com/collections/salubrious-food) - a holistic and hypo allergenic natural dog food.

So, to sum up and conclude, there are at least four things that you as a responsible dog owner can do to help your dog stay warm and dry – both when you are outside in cold weather and to care for them throughout the winter months. Your dog will thank you for doing so. Plus, don’t forget that with each and every purchase from