The first chilly October mornings are here, and many of us find ourselves asking the same question: how can I tell if my dog is cold? Not all dogs feel it the same way: a husky out in the garden is perfectly happy, while a Chihuahua or a greyhound may start shivering as soon as the temperature drops. The good news is that your dog makes it pretty clear, as long as you know what to look for. Here are the signs, the most sensitive dogs and what to do at home and on walks.
How to tell if your dog is cold: 6 signs
- Shivering or teeth chattering, especially when standing still or as soon as you step outside.
- Sleeping curled up in a tight ball, nose tucked under the tail, even during the day.
- Seeking out warmth: lying next to the radiator, climbing onto the sofa, burrowing under blankets or snuggling up to you more than usual.
- Cold ears, paw pads and tail tip to the touch.
- Lifting the paws one after another off cold floors or tarmac.
- Walking more slowly, stopping or pulling to head back home.
One sign on its own isn't enough: shivering, for example, can also be caused by fear, pain or excitement. If several appear at once when the temperature drops, your dog is most likely cold.
The dogs that feel the cold most
There's no single temperature that works for every dog: it depends a lot on the dog. The ones that struggle most are:
- short-haired dogs with no undercoat, such as greyhounds, pinschers, boxers or French bulldogs;
- small dogs, which lose heat faster;
- puppies and older dogs, which are less able to regulate their body temperature;
- very thin dogs or those with a health problem: in that case, ask your vet how best to protect them.
On the other hand, Nordic breeds such as the husky or the malamute, and shepherd dogs with a thick undercoat, cope well with the cold and often prefer to stay somewhere cool.
Dog coats: when they're really needed
If your dog is one of the sensitive ones, a coat isn't just a fashion statement. It makes sense on early-morning and night-time walks and on rainy, windy days. To choose one:
- measure the back from the neck to the base of the tail, and the chest at its widest point;
- it should cover the back and belly without pinching under the front legs or getting in the way when your dog does their business;
- ideally waterproof on the outside and soft on the inside, because wet fur cools down very quickly;
- take it off indoors: with the heating on, your dog would get too hot.
Dogs with long, thick coats don't usually need one.
A warm bed at home
- Keep it off the floor: tiles are cold, and a raised bed or a rug underneath makes all the difference.
- Away from draughts from doors and windows, but not right up against the radiator: your dog needs to be able to move away if they get too hot. For ideas on keeping draughts out, see our tips for keeping your home warm without heating.
- An extra blanket to burrow into: lots of dogs love making a nest. Wash it often, because in autumn it soon fills up with hair; between washes, a reusable pet hair remover helps keep it clean.
- If your dog sleeps outside, the kennel should be raised off the ground, sheltered from wind and rain, with the entrance facing away from the wind. On the coldest nights, sensitive dogs are better off indoors.
Walks in cold weather
- Go out in the middle of the day, when it's sunny.
- If it's very cold, go for shorter but more frequent walks, without cutting back on exercise.
- When you get back, dry your dog thoroughly, paws and belly included, especially if it has rained.
- Don't leave your dog waiting in the car: in cold weather, the inside cools down very quickly.
When to call the vet
If your dog keeps shivering even in a warm place, seems listless, weak or disoriented, or has spent a long time out in the cold and rain, call your vet as soon as possible: these are signs that need to be assessed by a professional.
In the end, telling whether your dog is cold is a matter of watching them for a few days as the weather starts to turn chilly. And if you're getting your home ready for autumn, for your dog too, take a look at Velia Select's products.