How Cold is Too Cold?
A common question this time of year is, “How cold is too cold for my dog?”
I always go by the simple rule, if I can feel the cold, then more than likely my dog can feel the cold. It is of course a little different for each dog breed, depending on factors like,
- The thickness of their coat
- The breed itself
- The weight of the dog
- The health of the dog
- Local environmental conditions
- Urban build-up
Most of the problem today comes because of the changing role of our dogs over the past few centuries. From the first tentative steps of wild dogs approaching early human settlements, to humans developing a working relation with wild dogs, leading first to domestication, then more recently in the last few hundred years to becoming our pets primarily, rather than working partners.
With this changing role from working dog to pet, has taken the hardiness out of a lot of modern breeds. To-day we breed our pet dogs for qualities like, loyalty, companionship, friendship, trust, personality, plus, in addition we like the qualities of physical appearance like eye color, coat, tail length, body shape, etc. In other words we are no longer breeding dogs specifically to perform certain work for us like we did in past centuries. Also, today we keep our dogs indoors in our habitat, rather than outside guarding the homestead, and acclimatizing to everything that nature would throw up.
So now that we know that it is important to not look at our pets and say that “I wish that I had its fur coat right now” It is more appropriate to look at our pets and know that like us, they need to be protected against harsher weather.
So, how do we as pet parents know?
“When is it too cold to walk the dog”?
The answer is a little more complicated, but thankfully, the people at Tufts University already developed a system for animal welfare officers to reference and now, so can you.
This extremely useful chart factors in the outdoor temperature and other variables and lays the answers out in a simple easy to read and follow system. Use this chart before you decide to venture outside with your best furry four legged friend. Red for potentially life-threatening, orange for danger, yellow for caution and green for safe.
This extremely useful chart factors in the outdoor temperature and other variables and lays the answers out in a simple easy to read and follow system. Use this chart before you decide to venture outside with your best furry four legged friend. Red for potentially life-threatening, orange for danger, yellow for caution and green for safe.
Source: https://3apq7g38q3kw2yn3fx4bojii-wpengine.netdna-ssl.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/01/petplan.png
Of course, there are other factors to consider. If it is slushy rain, cold drizzle, or raining then you must also factor this in by looking at the blue section of the chart. Wet weather and breed of dog can tip the scale one or more points in either direction. Whether the breed of dog is a long haired thick coat suited to colder climes, or a short haired breed like a Jack Russell, so less acclimatized to the cold is an important factor, too.
If your dog is acclimated to cold weather, like many hunting and working dogs, his number on the TACC scale is different than if he’s used to lying in a warm bed all winter like Most of our dogs are.Remember: Sometimes it’s simply too cold for pets to be outside, regardless of their breed. Prolonged exposure to dangerously cold temperatures can put pets in danger of hypothermia, and even of frostbite which occurs when the body is no longer able to sustain normal temperature. Symptoms of hypothermia in pets range from weakness and shivering to inaudible heartbeat and trouble breathing, depending on severity.
If after a cold walk outdoors, your dog appears to be suffering from hypothermia, call the vet and move the animal to a warm area inside quickly. If you drove to the area that you just conducted the walk in, then turn on the car’s heater, and if you have a blanket put it over the dog. Then when you get home, cover the dog with warm water bottles, blankets or towels.
Heating pads can burn your pet, so put several layers between your pet and an electric heat source. Transport the pet to medical care as soon as possible.
As always, use common sense and go with your gut. Phone weather ap’s should be relied on for checking the general conditions outside, but like always you are the best judge, so step outside and gauge the weather for yourself—when in doubt, follow your heart, and maybe walk tomorrow.
As always, use common sense and go with your gut. Phone weather ap’s should be relied on for checking the general conditions outside, but like always you are the best judge, so step outside and gauge the weather for yourself—when in doubt, follow your heart, and maybe walk tomorrow.
So, you have decided to venture outside, you have checked the chart, and stepped outside and checked the weather visually, and your reasonable judgement indicates that with some preparation, and some rules, it will be safe enough for you and your dog.
Here are some simple products and rules that will help your dog have a safe and enjoyable time outside, even in the snow.
- No Diving
Don’t let your pup or dog dive into deep snow. While it’s always fun to see a dog jump headfirst into a big pile of snow, it could be dangerous. 
There might be a depression or an unseen hole or dangerous object buried in deep snow drifts, so keep your puppy or dog safe by making sure they only play in shallow snow and areas that you know are clean of debris and potential risks.
There might be a depression or an unseen hole or dangerous object buried in deep snow drifts, so keep your puppy or dog safe by making sure they only play in shallow snow and areas that you know are clean of debris and potential risks.- Bright Toys
Easy-to-see toys are a must when playing with your dog in the snow.
White snowscapes although romantic, seasonal and beautiful are dangerous as the whiteness can conceal hidden obstacles, plush white blur’s everything and makes contrast hard. Even if you are playing in the sunshine, it can be hard to detect toys in the snow. Use neon colored toys,
or brightly colored toys that will be easy for your dog (and you) to see, so that they won’t have to dig in thick, wet snow to find it, and risk injury to their paws.- Booties
A good set of waterproof, lint lined booties can help to both protect a dog from wet, snow, and sludge, but can also protect their delicate paws from the harsh chemicals that are used to de-ice our city pavements and roads.
These chemicals can get in between their pads causing a burning sensation for the dog.
- Dog Jacket
A warm water proof dog jacket, that is designed to fit snugly on the dog,
without hampering its natural movements, can provide that extra layer of protection,
and help insulate the dog against exposure to snow, biting cold winds, sleet, and cold rain.
- LED Dog Collar
What better way to contrast your dog against that white background and be able to see it better than with a bright led collar.
As well as being a useful safety item in general for walking at night and in low light conditions, led collars also help in the snow. 
Being highly visible, and with a number of modes that they can be set, your dog will be highly visible at all times to you, even when he is bounding around in the snow.
Being highly visible, and with a number of modes that they can be set, your dog will be highly visible at all times to you, even when he is bounding around in the snow.- Heated Dog Bowl
Don’t forget that when you get back to the warmth and safety of your home, the dog’s body temperature may have to be brought up safely.
Nothing like a hot “cuppa” for doing the trick. But where we as humans may be able to quickly nuke our favorite beverage, like hot cocoa or tea or coffee, to quickly give our bodies a warming boost, what about you furry best friend? 
Then a Heated Dog Bowl could be the answer as it will keep its water at a preset constant temperature, so that your dog can enjoy warmer water on cold winter days.
Then a Heated Dog Bowl could be the answer as it will keep its water at a preset constant temperature, so that your dog can enjoy warmer water on cold winter days.- Heated Pad
A thermostatically controlled heating pad that gives you the ability to control the temperature setting may be just the answer.
This should always be used as an under blanket. So before you set out to the park for playtime in bad weather:
- Place the pad under a warm snugly blanket.
- Set the temperature to the desired heating.
That way when you get home your dog will have a nice warm comfortable pad to rest on so that his body temperature can equalize to normal and to room temperature. Never leave the pad turned on overnight, or have the dog lay directly on top to reduce injury potential.
So, like my “Grandpa” always said, weather is something we just “gotta” live with, so as long as it is reasonable outside, and in your best judgement, you have decided to venture outside with your best dog friend then there is no reason that if you follow our simple guide, reference the chart, and take the precautions, then you and your dog can continue to have the time of your lives.
Old Man Winter Or Not
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