Is 26 degrees too cold for dogs? Get Your Pet Thinking

Warning Signs That Your Dog is Too Cold

There are some specific things you can be on the lookout for if you want to make sure that your dog isn’t too cold. Just like people, dogs can get hypothermia if they’re left out in the cold for too long. Some of the symptoms of Hypothermia include:

If you notice that your dog is shaking or any of the above signs, be sure to get them to the vet immediately so that they can be treated. Hypothermia can be life-threatening if you don’t get your dog into a warmer environment and then seen by a vet quickly.

How Can I Keep My Dog Warm When It’s Cold?

Luckily, there are a few ways you can help keep your dog warm when it gets cold out. Never leave your dog outside too long in the cold even if you take these precautions, but you can use them to help keep your dog warm for shorter periods of time with supervision.

The first and most obvious thing you can do is limit your dog’s outdoor time. It doesn’t take long for frostbite to set it in for both humans and dogs. Dogs can catch frostbite on their delicate earflaps as well as their tail tips. During extremely cold weather it’s best to keep dogs inside, with the exception of some of the heavy-coated breeds we mentioned earlier that thrive in lower temperatures.

Keep an eye out if your dog’s skin appears to be white or blue as these tend to be indicators of frostbite. The less amount of time your dog spends outside in the cold, the less likely it is to suffer from frostbite.

Even though most dogs have a coat of fur, they could still benefit from being bundled up in something warmer—especially when the temperature drops very low. Just like we wouldn’t go out into a snowstorm wearing only a light spring jacket, our dogs shouldn’t go out in only a thin layer of fur. Small, delicate, and short-haired dogs would benefit from being bundled up in a warming vest. Even large dogs like Greyhounds will need something to bundle up in since they have such short fur. You can also make sure that your dog has weather-appropriate clothing like a sturdy winter coat or a fitted sweater.

The next thing you can do to help keep your dog warm when it’s cold is to make sure that its paws are protected. Your dog has pads on its feet that are very sensitive to temperature. In very cold weather, especially if there is snow or ice on the ground, a dog’s paws should be covered. You can consider buying a pair of dog booties to cover your dog’s feet and help keep them warm. Best Value

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  • A heated dog bed or mat can be a great way to help your dog keep warm in the winter, as well as provide it a safe warm place to warm up after returning from the outdoors. Heated beds are especially great for senior dogs that might have a harder time keeping warm when the weather’s cold. As a safety measure, be sure to look for one that has an automatic shutoff function so that if it ever gets too warm it will turn off automatically on its own. This will provide an extra sense of safety knowing that the mat will not overheat or cause injury to your dog. Best for Small Dogs

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    Is 26 degrees too cold for dogs?

    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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