And that’s a valid question, as well! Before you decide if the weather should prevent Bella from playing in the yard all afternoon, here are some things to consider:
Just as some dogs are more tolerant of hot weather than others, some dogs are more vulnerable to cold weather than others. Factors that can affect your dog’s ability to stay warm include their age, weight, coat color, and coat type. Simply put, a young, plump, dark-colored, long-haired dog will fare much better in adverse weather conditions than an elderly, thin, light-colored, short-haired pooch! Do not make the mistake of assuming that your neighbor’s dogs being perfectly content in cold weather means that your dogs will be totally fine, as well.
Dogs who have outdoor houses, beds, and blankets tend to have an easier time dealing with cold weather than dogs who are outside with nothing. If you have absolutely no choice but to leave your dog outside when it’s only 39°F, giving him some kind of shelter will help him stay comfortable for at least a little while. An insulted doghouse is nowhere near as comfortable as a climate-controlled human house, of course, and it’s probably not even as comfortable as being inside the garage with a towel or pillow. But really, any sort of luxury you can provide is usually better than leaving Muffin to fend for himself in the backyard!
It’s wintertime now, so hot weather really isn’t an issue at the moment. However, many of the same folks who were concerned about it being too hot for their dogs to be outside are now wondering if it’s too cold for their dogs to be outside.
That said, we’d be remiss not to warn you that amenities designed for dogs tend to attract non-canine visitors. When it’s cold outside, wild animals can become emboldened in their quest to find shelter. It’s entirely possible that your dog may try to take refuge in his doghouse one afternoon only to find that it’s currently occupied by a raccoon or opossum! Fights between dogs and wild animals can turn ugly very quickly, so if you notice that a squatter has muscled in on your dog’s “turf,” then the invader should be evicted immediately.
Being outside is great for a dog’s physical and mental health. Walking, running, looking, sniffing, listening, and meeting old or new friends are all activities that help keep dogs happy and healthy. But what should we do when it’s cold outside? When do the risks of spending time outside outweigh its benefits? Let’s look at the dangers associated with cold weather and how we can still safely enjoy the great outdoors with our dogs in the winter.
The best way to monitor your dog when they’re outside in the cold is to keep a close eye on their behavior. If you notice your dog shivering, acting anxious, whining, slowing down, searching out warm locations, or holding up one or more paws, it’s time to head inside and warm up.
On a clear day, black, brown, or other dark-coated dogs can absorb significant amounts of heat from sunlight, keeping them warmer in comparison to dogs with light-colored coats.
While broad generalizations are difficult, cold should not become a problem for most dogs until the temperature falls below 45 F, at which point some cold-averse dogs might begin to feel uncomfortable. When temperatures drop under 32 F, small breed dogs, dogs with thin coats, or very young, old, or sick dogs could be in danger if they spend too much time outdoors. Once temperatures drop under 20 F, all pet parents need to be aware that their dogs could develop cold-associated health problems like hypothermia or frostbite when outside for extended periods of time.
Dogs with thick, double-layered coats tend to be the most cold-tolerant (think Siberian Huskies, Newfoundlands, and Samoyeds). Many of these breeds originated in northern climates and have attributes that allow them to thrive when temperatures drop. However, dogs with exceptionally thin coats, like the Basenji and Xoloitzcuintli, may suffer in the cold and tend to do better when it’s warmer outside.
Can Puppies Sleep Outside in the Cold?
It isn’t safe to keep your puppies outdoors in the winter. In fact, it won’t be wrong to say that the poor pup could die of cold if you leave it outside in the night. That’s because puppies aren’t as good at regulating their body temperature as adult dogs are. Now, there are many reasons for that, including their physical capability. However, one of the major reasons is that puppies have a small surface area to volume ratio. This means that it’s harder for them to naturally conserve body heat, much of which is lost to the surroundings.
Also, bear in mind that puppies are more susceptible to a number of diseases. Vets vaccinate puppies in the first few months. But before that, it’s quite dangerous to expose your mutts to the outdoors. By sleeping outside in the winter, there are a number of parasites and diseases that your puppy could get.
Now the real question is: how long before puppies can sleep outside? Well, there’s no definite age, but you can begin the transition anywhere around 4-6 months after birth. Now, even if your puppy seems to be holding up really well against the cold weather, you still shouldn’t let it sleep outdoors at less than 4 months of age. Usually, that’s around the time when your vet would vaccinate the puppy as well.
But even after your puppy has transitioned to the outdoors, you’ll need to provide it with a properly insulated dog house, crate cover, and a heating pad or kennel heater.
How cold is too cold for a dog to sleep outside?
Being outside is great for a dog’s physical and mental health. Walking, running, looking, sniffing, listening, and meeting old or new friends are all activities that help keep dogs happy and healthy. But what should we do when it’s cold outside? When do the risks of spending time outside outweigh its benefits? Let’s look at the dangers associated with cold weather and how we can still safely enjoy the great outdoors with our dogs in the winter.
A temperature that feels comfortable to one dog might make another shiver. There are a few variables that affect how dogs respond to the cold.
Dogs with thick, double-layered coats tend to be the most cold-tolerant (think Siberian Huskies, Newfoundlands, and Samoyeds). Many of these breeds originated in northern climates and have attributes that allow them to thrive when temperatures drop. However, dogs with exceptionally thin coats, like the Basenji and Xoloitzcuintli, may suffer in the cold and tend to do better when it’s warmer outside.
On a clear day, black, brown, or other dark-coated dogs can absorb significant amounts of heat from sunlight, keeping them warmer in comparison to dogs with light-colored coats.
Dogs lose most of their heat through their skin. Small dogs have a larger surface area to volume ratio compared to big dogs, which means, relatively speaking, they have a bigger surface to lose heat through and a smaller area “inside” to hold on to heat. Therefore, small dogs get colder faster than large dogs, all other things being equal.
Body fat is a good insulator, so thin dogs become cold quickly. However, the health risks of being overweight far outweigh any benefits, so don’t let your dog pack on the pounds in preparation for winter.
We’ve all experienced this one. After the heat of summer, 55 F can feel frigid, but after a long, cold winter, the same temperature can make us break out a pair of shorts and a T-shirt. Dogs that are used to the cold handle it much better than those that aren’t.
Puppies, canine senior citizens, and dogs with underlying health problems cannot regulate their body temperatures as well as healthy dogs in the prime of their lives. Be sure to protect vulnerable dogs from the cold.