How cold is too cold for dogs? There’s no single number, because your dog’s size, coat, age and health all change the answer. A rule of thumb from the ASPCA and Cornell’s vets is that if it’s too cold for you, it’s probably too cold for your dog. Wet fur and wind make it colder still. A dog that is shivering, whining or slowing down should come inside. Cats get a quick mention near the end.
A Vet-Written Rule of Thumb for Cold Temperatures
Jennifer Coates, DVM, lays out three rough marks for dogs: about 45, 32 and 20 degrees Fahrenheit.
| Temperature | What it may mean for your dog |
|---|---|
| About 45 F and above | Most dogs have no problem |
| Below about 45 F | Some cold-averse dogs may start to feel uncomfortable |
| Below about 32 F | Small, thin-coated, very young, old or sick dogs could be in danger if outdoors too long |
| Below about 20 F | Any dog could develop hypothermia or frostbite when out for extended periods |
Treat these as places to start thinking harder, because dogs differ. Is 50 degrees too cold? By that guide, it’s above the point where most dogs start to feel it.
Dr. Coates says herself that broad generalizations are difficult, and other vets give other numbers. Cornell suggests considering a coat and boots below freezing. A Tufts veterinarian suggests a coat below 15 F for dogs without thick fur, in advice written for New England. Vets at Tufts and Cornell both say there is no cut-off for every dog, and the guides that publish numbers don’t cite a study for them.
What Changes the Number for Your Dog
Coat, size, age, health, weather and time outside can each move the line for your pup.
- Short-haired and thin-coated dogs feel the cold sooner. Thick double-coated breeds such as huskies handle it better, but the AVMA says no pet should be outside for long in below-freezing weather.
- Small and toy dogs get cold faster. So do short-legged dogs, because their bellies touch the snow.
- Puppies, seniors and dogs with diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease or Cushing’s disease have a harder time regulating their temperature.
- Wet fur and wind make it colder. Treat a damp, windy day as a colder day.
- A quick potty trip and an hour-long walk are different asks, so shorten walks as the cold gets worse.
Texas A&M AgriLife calls Texas winter weather famously unpredictable. That’s exactly why a hard freeze after a warm stretch can catch dogs off guard. Cornell’s vets say dogs not conditioned for the cold, such as after a sudden cold snap, are less prepared.
Your own vet knows your dog’s limits best, so ask what yours can handle. I’d rather bring a pup in early than leave one out too long.
Signs Your Dog Is Too Cold
A dog that is too cold usually tells you, and shivering, whining or slowing down means it’s time to come inside.
Cornell, the AVMA and Tufts vets describe these signs:
- Shivering
- Whining or acting anxious
- A tucked tail or hunched posture
- Slowing down or stopping on a walk
- Lifting paws, often one at a time
- Pulling toward the door or the car
- Looking for a warm place to burrow
Shivering is a reason to come in, but a dog that isn’t shivering may not be fine. Dr. Coates says shivering may stop as hypothermia gets worse, and the dog may turn sluggish or confused instead.
If you think your dog is too cold, bring your pup inside and call your vet. If your dog is weak, confused or collapsed, call your vet now.
Cornell’s vets and the AVMA say frostbite can show up on paws, ears and tail, and may not show for days. If you suspect it, call your vet.
Can a Dog Stay Outside Overnight in Winter?
Inside is the answer, day and night. My own preference is a dog on the couch. The AVMA says dogs and cats should be kept inside during cold weather, and Texas A&M vets say the same for freezing weather.
Indoors, give your pup a warm bed off the floor and away from drafts, as the ASPCA suggests.
If your dog has no choice but to be outside, here’s what the vets say the shelter needs:
- A solid shelter that blocks the wind, dry and free of drafts
- Room to stand and turn around, but small enough to hold in body heat
- A floor up off the ground
- Thick, dry bedding, changed regularly. Texas A&M vets like deep straw and say to skip blankets and towels, because they hold moisture
- A door that faces away from the wind
- Fresh water that isn’t frozen
No space heaters or heat lamps in a shelter. The AVMA warns about burns and fire.
Coats, Paws and the Towel by the Door
A coat or sweater helps short-haired, small, older and thin-coated dogs, and the fit matters.
Does a coat keep you toasty when it’s bitterly cold? Your short-haired pup feels the same way. The ASPCA suggests a coat or sweater with a high collar that covers from the base of the tail to the belly. Cornell’s vets say it should fit well, let your dog move freely and stay fastened. I’d add two cautions of my own: hoods can cover a pet’s eyes, and sweaters can get caught in a dog’s or cat’s nails. Keep a spare and change a wet one, because the AVMA says wet coats can make a dog colder. Cornell adds that thick double-coated dogs can overheat if bundled up.
For paws, keep a towel by the door. Wipe feet, legs and belly after every walk, and look for cracked pads or redness. Ice melt can irritate paws. Paw balm or petroleum jelly before a walk can help, and a Tufts vet says to wipe it off afterward. Booties work only if they fit. Trimming the hair between the toes can cut down on ice balls.
Two grooming notes from the ASPCA: never shave your dog down to the skin in winter, and bathe less, because too many baths dry out the skin.
Winter Hazards Pet Parents Forget
Antifreeze, ice melt, space heaters, cold cars and frozen ponds can all hurt a dog in winter.
Antifreeze. Antifreeze can turn deadly fast. Most of it contains ethylene glycol. It tastes sweet, dogs may lap up a spill, and even a small amount can be fatal. The ASPCA says early signs can be missed. If you think your dog got into antifreeze, call your vet, the ASPCA Poison Control or the Pet Poison Helpline right away. Don’t wait for symptoms. Either line may charge a consultation fee. Wipe up spills and keep containers out of reach. Even pet-safe antifreeze should stay where dogs can’t get to it.
Ice melt. Tufts vets say a little licked off the paws usually means an upset stomach. A larger amount is a call to your vet or a poison line. The Pet Poison Helpline says all types of ice melt can be hazardous, including ones labeled pet-safe. Drooling and vomiting can be signs your dog ate some.
Space heaters and fireplaces. The AVMA says they can burn a dog or tip over and start a fire. Cornell’s vets say to keep dogs about three feet from heat sources and not unsupervised near them. Use a fireplace screen, and keep your carbon monoxide detectors working.
Cold cars. The AVMA says a parked car can chill a pet quickly, like a refrigerator. Keep cats inside, too. Before you start the car, check underneath, bang on the hood and honk, because a warm engine attracts cats.
Ice and lost dogs. Stay off frozen ponds. Snow and ice can hide familiar scents, so keep an ID tag on your dog and your microchip registry contact information current.
Set this up before you need it
Put your vet’s after-hours number and the two poison lines named above in your phone now. In a freeze, you may not want to be searching for them.
Winterize Your Pup Along With Your Pipes
You’ve probably checked the car battery, covered the outside faucets and set the pool’s freeze guard. Add your dog to that list.
Texas A&M AgriLife says pipes can burst at 20 degrees or below and to take precautions whenever it dips below freezing. For a multi-day freeze, Texas A&M vets say to bring pets inside, stock food and medications, and have warm bedding ready in case the power goes out or a pipe bursts. Freezing temperatures eventually reach every corner of Texas.
If a freeze is in the forecast and you may not be home, we at Top Dog Pet Sitters cover McKinney, Melissa and Celina, and our dog walking can help with the days you can’t get there. And if you’ll be away overnight, our extended pet sitting means a sitter stays the night in your home. Reach out and we’ll talk through what your dog needs.
Susan Gary owns Top Dog Pet Sitters in McKinney, Melissa, and Celina, TX, with her husband, Erick. She has been a professional pet care provider since 2015. Susan is a member of Pet Sitters International, is a founding member of the Texas Pet Sitters Association, and certified in pet CPR/First Aid. Susan is a long-time McKinney resident and a retired minister. Learn more about her here.
