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There's no single temperature that answers how cold is too cold for dogs, because a husky and a senior Chihuahua are living through two very different winters. What decides it is your dog's coat, age, body condition and health, plus wind and wet. The most reliable gauge is your dog's own behaviour on the walk.
The Ontario SPCA says short coated dogs, puppies, seniors, underweight dogs and dogs with medical conditions are the most vulnerable in the cold, and that pets shouldn't be left outside for long periods below freezing. So on a minus 20 morning in January, what do you actually do? Here's who feels the cold most, how to read wind chill, the signs that mean head home now, and the ones that mean a vet. It's general information, so ask your vet about your own dog.
How cold is too cold for dogs? Why there is no single number
No Canadian authority publishes a temperature limit for dogs. Cold tolerance varies too much from dog to dog, and the same reading on the thermometer feels completely different in still sunshine than in wind and sleet.
| Factor | Copes better | Feels the cold sooner |
|---|---|---|
| Coat | Thick, double coat | Short, thin or freshly clipped coat |
| Age | Healthy adult | Puppies and seniors |
| Body condition | Healthy weight | Underweight |
| Health | No ongoing conditions | Dogs with medical conditions |
| Conditions | Dry, still, sunny | Wet, windy, overcast |
The Ontario SPCA names short coated dogs, puppies, senior animals, underweight animals and those with underlying medical conditions as particularly vulnerable. It also advises against shaving a dog's coat for winter.
Judge the walk by the dog in front of you, not by the thermometer. A dog that lifts its paws, hunches or stops is telling you the answer.
Reading the wind chill before a walk
Check the wind chill, not just the temperature. Environment and Climate Change Canada's Wind Chill Index describes how cold it feels on exposed skin. The risk categories are written for people, not dogs, but they're a useful warning of how fast cold can injure exposed bits like ears, paws and tails.
| Wind chill | Risk | Exposed skin may freeze in |
|---|---|---|
| 0 to minus 9 | Low | Not specified |
| Minus 10 to minus 27 | Moderate | Not specified |
| Minus 28 to minus 39 | High | About 10 to 30 minutes |
| Minus 40 to minus 47 | Very high | About 5 to 10 minutes |
| Minus 48 to minus 54 | Severe | About 2 to 5 minutes |
| Minus 55 or colder | Extreme | Under 2 minutes |
The same page notes that in sustained winds over 50 km/h, frostbite can happen faster than the table suggests. On high risk days, the Ontario SPCA's advice is simple: cut the walk short and make up for it indoors with games and a puzzle toy.
Walking dogs in extreme cold: practical habits
On a bitter day, go shorter and more often. Several quick trips out beat one long slog. If your dog is a puppy or has a short coat, the Ontario SPCA says a sweater or coat may help.
Look after the paws. The AVMA suggests checking for cracked pads, bleeding and ice between the toes, and considering booties. It also advises wiping the feet, legs and belly after walks to get rid of de-icers and antifreeze; our post on road salt and dog paws covers ice melts in detail. The ASPCA notes that ice melts can irritate, crack and even make pads bleed in sensitive dogs, and that swallowing them can cause vomiting and diarrhea, so keep your own containers out of reach.
Back home, dry off a wet dog properly, since a soaked coat loses much of its insulation. And give them a warm bed, which the Ontario SPCA says should be off the floor and away from drafts.
Signs your dog is too cold
Turn around and head home when you see the early signs the Ontario SPCA lists:
- Shaking or shivering
- A hunched posture with the tail tucked
- Lifting a paw off the ground, or holding paws up in turn
- Whining, anxious behaviour or refusing to keep walking
- Looking for shelter
Hypothermia
The Ontario SPCA lists prolonged shivering and slow, shallow breathing as signs of hypothermia. Wrap your dog in a blanket or your coat, get somewhere warm, and get veterinary help right away.
Frostbite
Frostbite most often hits the extremities, the ears, legs, paws and tail, according to the Ontario SPCA, and the skin may turn black. Any suspected frostbite needs a vet to look at it.
When a cold dog needs a vet
Call your vet or an emergency clinic now if your dog shows signs of hypothermia, has skin that looks discoloured or black, is weak or collapses, or doesn't warm up and get back to normal once indoors. The Merck Veterinary Manual's emergency guidance says emergency care often starts with a phone call, so the clinic can tell you what to do on the way.
Not sure where the nearest open clinic is? The PetGrid find a vet map shows every vet clinic, not just PetGrid ones. Our guide on when to take your dog to the emergency vet lists other urgent signs.
If your dog has heart disease, diabetes or another ongoing condition, ask your vet before winter hits how long walks should be. Save that advice in your dog's pet records so the dog walker and the neighbour who helps out can see it too.
Perguntas frequentes
What temperature is too cold to walk a dog?
There's no official temperature cut off for dogs. Coat, age, health, wind and wet all matter, so watch your dog for shivering, lifted paws or reluctance to walk, and cut the walk short on very cold days.
Can dogs get frostbite in Canada?
Yes, dogs can get frostbite, most often on the ears, legs, paws and tail. The skin may turn black, and a vet should check any suspected frostbite.
Which dogs get cold fastest?
Short coated dogs, puppies, seniors, underweight dogs and dogs with medical conditions are the most vulnerable, according to the Ontario SPCA. A coat or sweater can help puppies and short coated breeds on winter walks.
Should I shave my dog in winter?
No, the Ontario SPCA advises against shaving a dog in winter. A longer coat keeps them warmer.
What should I do if my dog is shivering and slow after a walk?
Wrap your dog in a blanket, move somewhere warm and call your vet right away. Prolonged shivering and slow, shallow breathing can be signs of hypothermia.
Can dogs stay outside overnight in winter?
The Ontario SPCA says pets shouldn't be left outside for extended periods when temperatures are below freezing. Dogs need a warm place to sleep, off the floor and away from drafts.
Em resumo
How cold is too cold for dogs depends on the dog and the day. Short coated, young, old, thin or unwell dogs feel it first, and wind and wet make any temperature harsher. Keep walks short on high wind chill days, protect the paws, watch for shivering and lifted feet, and call a vet for any sign of hypothermia or frostbite.
The free PetGrid app keeps your dog's records and your vet's advice in one place, and its map helps you find an open clinic fast if winter goes wrong.
Guarde os registros, as vacinas e as consultas do seu pet em um só lugar seguro. O app PetGrid é gratuito para tutores, com ou sem clínica.
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