What’s the Ideal House Temperature for Dogs?
There isn’t one ideal house temperature for every dog. But if you’re trying to decide what thermostat settings to choose for your furry friend, we recommend considering the following factors.
Dogs come in all sizes. If your pup is on the smaller size, then they have a higher surface-to-area volume ratio and will lose heat through their skin more quickly than a larger dog. If you’ve ever noticed that small dogs get colder faster than large dogs, this is why.
Is your dog a lean greyhound or a corgi with a little more to love? Whatever your pup’s body type, weight is another factor that can influence their body temperature. If your dog is lean and fit, they will get colder faster than a dog that is a heavier weight.
Dogs with thin, short coats tend to get colder faster than dogs with long, thick coats.
Puppies get colder faster and easier than older dogs do.
Dogs who are ill or live with chronic ailments like joint conditions, for example, will usually benefit from a slightly warmer home environment.
Why you shouldn’t keep your house too warm
Canines can suffer from heat exhaustion and heat stroke due to elevated temperatures, just like humans. It’s even more uncomfortable and potentially dangerous when there’s a high level of humidity in the air. Because of their insulating coats, dogs don’t release heat by sweating through their skin like we do. Panting is your dog’s primary cool-down mechanism, and they need take in cool, dry air. The faster and shallower the panting, the hotter they are.Advertisement
Dr. Barry Kellogg told the Humane Society, “Animals pant to evaporate moisture from their lungs, which takes heat away from their body. If the humidity is too high, they are unable to cool themselves and their temperature will skyrocket to dangerous levels—very quickly.”
The AKC expressed concern for brachycephalic breeds, (i.e., pugs, bulldogs, and Boston terriers) “that don’t have as efficient breathing to keep cool through panting.”G/O Media may get a commission
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The general consensus, however, is that a comfortable indoor temperature for most dogs during warm months is between 75 and 78 degrees Fahrenheit (24 to 26 degrees Celsius).
What is Cold for a Dog?
We’ve already thoroughly talked about how differences between dogs can change the way that temperature affects them. But that’s a very general answer and isn’t going to help you much when you’re trying to figure out what temperature to keep your house so your dog can be comfortable. So, for now, let’s discuss cold-averse dogs.
This includes any dogs that aren’t built for the cold weather. Dogs with short hair, small dogs, old dogs, and any dogs that don’t prefer cold temperatures fall into this category.
For these dogs, 45 degrees Fahrenheit is where you’re going to start to see the cold’s effects. That said, these temperatures aren’t going to hurt any type of dog. Still, if your dog will be outside in 45-degree weather, they’ll at least need a coat and a safe shelter where they can get out of the elements.
Once temperatures drop below freezing, health risks can become a real possibility. At 32 degrees, you’ll start to notice the signs of your dog being cold, such as:
At 20 degrees Fahrenheit, the dangers are very real and your dog could suffer serious consequences.
Best Temperatures for Dog Breeds
As winter gets closer, thermostat settings begin to change. For humans, getting comfortable in the cold can be as simple as grabbing a blanket, putting on a hoodie, or turning the temperature up a degree or two. But when your dog is uncomfortable with the temperature, there’s not much they can do.
So, as loving dog owners, we want to keep our canines comfortable by setting the thermostat to a temperature that’s as comfortable for them as it is for us. But we can’t ask our dogs what temperature they prefer, so how cold should you keep your home?
Truthfully, every dog is different, but there are some simple rules you can follow to ensure that you’re always keeping the house pleasant for your pup.