What temperature is safe for a dog to stay outside? A Comprehensive Guide

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Reviewed for accuracy on April 6, 2022 by Cathy Barnette, DVM

Dogs can get hypothermia or frostbite at temperatures lower than 32°F.

In cold weather, make sure that dogs have adequate outdoor shelters and plenty of food and water.

High humidity can contribute to heatstroke in dogs.

Some breeds of dogs are more tolerant of hot and cold temperatures than others.

Know the early warning signs of hypothermia, heatstroke, and dehydration to protect your dog during extreme weather.

While it seems like dogs might react differently to the weather than humans (they have different biology after all), in some cases they can actually be more susceptible to weather extremes. As a general rule of thumb, if the outdoor temperature is too hot or cold for you, it’s probably too severe for your dog. Hot temperatures, combined with humidity, can cause dehydration and heatstroke. Temperatures lower than 32°F can cause hypothermia or frostbite.

How cold is too cold for a dog to be outside? Unfortunately, the answer isn’t quite straightforward because each dog is unique. Factors that affect temperature tolerance include:

Coat type: It goes without saying that dogs with thicker, fluffier coats and those with double coats can withstand colder temperatures than those with thin, single coats of fur.

Size: Small dogs can get colder much more quickly than larger dogs.

Weight: Body fat can help insulate from cold temperatures, so a dog with less body fat will suffer from cold temperatures more quickly. However, it’s important to keep your dog at a healthy body weight because the risks that come with being overweight are certainly not worth forgoing the purchase of a sweater for your pup.

Age: Older dogs and those with compromised health can be more susceptible to cold temperatures than their younger, healthier counterparts.

As a rule of thumb, small dogs with short coats, such as Chihuahuas, get cold faster than other breeds. Provide your dog with a sweater during winter walks and keep his outdoor time short. Other breeds, such as poodles, are susceptible to cold if their coats are groomed short.

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Dogs get an unmistakable twinkle in their eyes the minute you reach for their leashes or open the back door. That’s because they know that they’ll be enjoying some fresh air and sunshine in no time. After all, when they’re outside, dogs have an endless supply of interesting smells to track down, squirrels to chase, patches of sunshine to lounge in, and, of course, stinky mud puddles to roll around in.

While dogs love spending time outdoors, it’s best to bring them in before bedtime to spend time with your family. But you might be wondering how long you can keep your dog outside safely during the day, especially in hot or cold weather. The answer is a little more complicated than you’d expect and varies according to your individual dog’s needs, health, and breed. Here we explore just how to determine when it’s time to call your pup back inside after a day of outdoor fun.

Dogs come in all sizes and breeds, which can affect how long it’s safe to leave them outside. While larger dogs with thick coats may enjoy outdoor romps for longer periods in chilly temperatures, their smaller single-coated and hairless counterparts, on the other hand, can spend more time outside on sunny days but not in the cold.

While small pups can spend a few hours outdoors in temperatures between 60ºF and 90ºF, keep outings in temperatures below 32ºF and above 90ºF to short spans of no more than 10 to 15 minutes, recommends Dr. Wooten.

Medium to large dog breeds like the Siberian Husky, Samoyed, Malamute, Newfoundland, and Bernese Mountain Dog are adapted to extremely cold temperatures because of their thick double coats. For this reason, they can stay outdoors longer in temperatures below 32ºF, usually for 30 minutes to an hour, says Dr. Wooten. Additionally, healthy arctic breeds can stay outside for indefinite period of time during chilly days as long as they are acclimated.

“The long guard hairs that form the outer layer of fur protect against snow or ice and can even shed water; the soft undercoat lies close to the skin and keeps a dog warm and dry,” says Alexandra Bassett, CPDT-KA, Lead Trainer & Behavior Specialist for Dog Savvy Los Angeles. While these double-coated dogs shed their undercoats in the summer to stay cooler, don’t leave them out for long in very warm temperatures above 90ºF.

Livestock-guarding breeds, who are typically medium to large in size can stay out for longer spans of time when the weather is temperate, between 60ºF and 90ºF, especially if they have a job to keep them busy, recommends dog trainer Danielle Mühlenberg of Pawleaks.

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A general rule of thumb to use: if the outdoor temperature is too hot or cold for you to be comfortable, it’s too severe for your dog. Just like us, they require layers, shade, or shelter to help protect them from the elements.

How Do You Know If It’s Too Hot To Walk Your Dog? What Temperature Is Safe For Dogs To Be Outside?

A general rule of thumb to use: if the outdoor temperature is too hot or cold for you to be comfortable, it’s too severe for your dog. Just like us, they require layers, shade, or shelter to help protect them from the elements.