How Long Can My Dog Stay Outside in the Cold?
Some dogs love to frolic through freshly laid snow. Others despise the thought of even going outside to go potty when it gets to be cold. What does your dog think about going outside when it’s that cold?
Knowing how long your dog can stay outside in the cold is important. It can help you get over knowing if your dog is genuinely too cold to stay outside or if they are just being stubborn.
How Long Can My Dog Stay Outside in the Cold?
How do you dress when you go outside in the winter? You’re likely putting on a nice warm hat and gloves. You might even grab your thickest jacket to ensure your comfort. What about your dog though?
Many people think that because dogs are covered with fur that they are naturally protected from the cold. While their coat does provide some insulation, it’s not always true that a dog will be fine outside. There are some different factors that play a role in how long your dog can safely last outdoors:
- Breed
- Your dog’s overall health
- Your dog’s age
- How cold it is outside
- How windy it is outside
Take all these factors into consideration when you are thinking about how long your dog can last in cold water.
Breed
Some breeds of dogs are built to be in the cold weather. A breed like the Siberian Husky can withstand extremely cold weather. They’ve been noted to survive even in -60 degrees Fahrenheit. This is because they have many adaptations that help them stay warm. Not only do they have a thick double coat, extra fur around the ears and their fluffy tail can be used to cover their face while they sleep.
Small breeds like the Chihuahua won’t last very long in the cold. Not only do they have a very thin coat, but they don’t have a lot of fat. Normally, any extra fat a dog has will provide them a bit of a buffer from the cold. This goes for small dogs, but larger dogs can have the same issues too. Greyhounds, for instance, are another breed that won’t be able to last long in the cold without some extra equipment like booties and jackets.
A Dog’s Age and Health
A dog’s age and health also determine how long they can stay outside in the cold. Dogs who are very young or old are most at risk for cold-related injuries. And dogs that are under 6 months of age should be watched very closely when outside. The same goes for senior dogs. There are ways to protect your dog if you are concerned about how they will feel outside.
Windchill During Cold Weather
Obviously, the temperature outside will dictate how long your dog can last. What you might not have considered is how windchill plays a role in this as well. While a dog might be able to take colder weather, wind chill can make a dog substantially colder. As a simple rule of thumb, each mph of wind can make a dog feel one degree colder than the outside temperature. This means that if your dog is out on a 25-degree day with 10mph winds, your dog will feel like it’s about 15 degrees.
This is why it’s important to keep an eye on your dog when they’re outside.
How to Know When My Dog Is Too Cold?
Overall, when it’s cold outside, you have to make a decision on how long you think your dog will last. Most professionals would say 15 to 20 minutes at freezing is really all a dog should stand at freezing temperatures. Your dog might not last 15 minutes, or it might be able to last half an hour.
If it is below freezing, you need to watch them very closely when they’re outside. If you see your dog shivering, whining, slowing down, or raising their paws from the cold ground, it’s time for them to come inside to warm up.
How to Protect Your Dog from the Cold
Helping your dog gear-up to brave the cold will allow them to stay outside for longer. Consider getting them a tight-fitting and waterproof coat. This will help keep them warm and dry. You can also consider using a paw balm to help protect the pads of their feet. If your dog doesn’t like having balm applied to their paws, try using dog booties. It might take some time to get used to, but your dog will be happy their feet are protected from the cold.
Playing outdoors can be a lot of fun. Just be sure to protect yourself and your dog from the cold weather. Bundle up and stay safe!