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Winter can be a challenging time for dog owners. This is true whether your dog loves the cold and wants to be outside all day or loathes chilly temperatures and would rather potty inside than get their paws cold.
Whichever category your pup falls into, it’s up to you to keep them safe this season. Below, we’ll look at what factors determine how cold-tolerant your dog is and offer some winter care tips to keep them happy and healthy during cold weather.
What Determines a Dog’s Cold Weather Tolerance?
When is it too cold for dogs to be outside? How long can dogs stay out in the cold? These are questions I often hear from dog owners.
Unfortunately, they aren’t easy ones to answer. Why? Because all dogs are different.
For instance, research into the cold tolerance of working dogs in Alaska found that the average sled dog is safe from the ill effects of cold at temperatures as low as -50 degrees Fahrenheit. Does that mean your couch potato husky can survive such extreme temperatures? How about your neighbor’s five-pound Chihuahua?
In both cases, the answer is probably not.
So, how do you determine the lowest temperature your dog can safely tolerate outside? I suggest you start by looking at the five factors that affect a dog’s cold tolerance: mass, body fat, coat type, age, and acclimation.
#1 – Mass
In case it’s been a while since you took a physics class, let me remind you that larger masses retain heat longer and lose heat more slowly than smaller masses.
This means a Great Dane will stay warmer in cold temperatures longer than a Beagle.
So, when it comes to cold tolerance, larger dogs have a natural leg up over smaller dogs. Their core body temperature will stay within normal limits much longer than the core temperature of a small dog. This means that big dogs can typically stay out in cold temps significantly longer than small dogs.
#2 – Body Fat
Another weight-related factor that affects cold tolerance is body fat. Not only does extra fat increase a dog’s mass, but it also provides additional insulation, which dramatically increases their cold tolerance.
This means that an overweight Beagle is going to be more cold-tolerant than a fit Beagle. And a fit Beagle is going to be more cold-tolerant than one that is underweight.
In addition to providing insulation, fat also provides a backup energy source. When the body gets cold, metabolism increases to help maintain normal body temperatures. This means dogs with a little extra junk in the trunk are more likely to maintain a normal body temperature for extended periods when it’s cold than dogs who are on the thin side.
#3 – Coat Type and Condition
Beyond body fat, dogs rely heavily on their coats to provide insulation against the cold.
Double-coated dogs have two types of fur. The layer that sits closest to their skin—the undercoat—is made up of thin, soft hairs. Meanwhile, the topcoat consists of thicker, stiffer hairs, often called guard hairs.
This outer coat helps protect the undercoat and skin from moisture and debris. The undercoat helps trap warm air and acts as an insulator.
Single-coated dogs only have a topcoat, which means they lack effective insulation. So, when it’s cold, they will lose body heat much faster than a dog with a double coat.
How well your dog’s double coat helps keep them warm depends on the condition of the fur. Everything from grooming to nutrition can play a role in coat health. A double-coated dog with poor coat health can lose heat just as quickly as a single-coated dog.
#4 – Age
The age of your dog also plays an important role in how quickly they’ll get cold when the temperature drops.
Adult dogs tend to be much more cold-tolerant than puppies. This has a lot to do with mass and body fat. Adult dogs also tend to have more effective avenues for controlling and maintaining body temperatures than young dogs, whose thermoregulatory systems are still developing. Puppies also have higher metabolic needs in general, which means there is less energy to spare to keep their body warm.
Similarly, adult dogs tend to be more cold-tolerant than senior dogs. Older dogs often struggle to maintain muscle mass and body fat, which means they retain less heat in general. Seniors also tend to have slower metabolisms, which means they can’t burn calories as effectively to warm themselves up.
#5 – Acclimation
One factor in cold tolerance that should not be overlooked is a dog’s acclimation to colder temperatures.
Those huskies I mentioned that thrive at negative fifty degrees? Researchers found that they suffer heat-related health issues if the temperature gets above 20 degrees Fahrenheit—a temp hardly anyone anywhere would consider “warm.” How is this possible? Because their bodies are acclimated to very cold temperatures.
On the flip side, if your dog is used to the cozy temps inside your house, they will be more prone to cold-related health issues. Even big, hairy dogs with plenty of fat are at risk of hypothermia and frostbite if they aren’t accustomed to the cold.
Alternatively, if your dog spends ample time in an outdoor kennel during the winter, they will be much more prepared to maintain normal body temps during cold weather.
Winter Care Tips for Your Dog
Understanding how well your dog tolerates cold temperatures can help you make safe decisions when it comes to letting them play outside—or not—during cold weather.
For more ways to keep your dog safe this winter, check out our tips below.
Take Walks Only When the Temperature Allows
The safe temperature for a dog walk depends largely on your dog’s cold tolerance (and yours, as well).
If you have a small dog, puppy, or senior, the best temperatures for walks are those in the forties and fifties. The same is true if you have a skinny pooch, a single-coated breed, or a dog that isn’t used to cold temps.
If the temperature is in the thirties or just dipping into freezing, you can get away with a walk, but make it short or utilize a doggy coat to help your dog stay warmer longer.
Big dogs with thick double coats who are acclimated to the cold can safely go on walks well into freezing temperatures. The important thing here is to keep an eye on your dog and look for signs of discomfort. If they start to act cold, it’s time to turn around.
Limit Outdoor Time
The same can be said for general outdoor time. Small dogs, puppies, skinny pooches, single-coted breeds, and seniors should not be left outside for extended periods in cold temperatures.
Many large, double-coated breeds who are acclimated to cold weather enjoy staying outside even when it’s snowing. If this describes your pup, it’s still important to keep an eye on them and bring them in if they start to act cold. Or, at the very least, be sure they have a warm, sheltered area to retreat to if they need it.
In extremely cold temperatures, you may have to take extra precautions when letting your dogs out. For example, when the temperature dips into the low single digits, my Cihauhua cannot get from the back door to the lawn and back before his feet freeze up. When it gets this cold, I have to carry him to the grass and stand there with him to make sure he stays safe.
Hypothermia and frostbite aren’t just concerns for humans. Dogs can also fall victim to these cold weather dangers. Limiting time outside, providing shelter, and keeping a close eye on your dog while they are outside can help prevent these dangers.
Check out the dog cold weather chart below to get a general idea of safe outdoor temperatures based on dog size.
| Dog Size | Low Risk | Moderate Risk | High Risk |
| Small dog | 40 to 50°F | 30 to 40°F | below 30°F |
| Medium dog | 35 to 45°F | 25 to 35°F | below 25°F |
| Large dog | 30 to 40°F | 20 to 30°F | Below 20°F |
But remember, every dog is different. Dogs with double coats who are used to cold weather are more likely to tolerate colder temperatures than those with single coats and those who have less experience with winter temps.
Give Your Dog Time to Acclimate to Cold Temperatures
Dogs prepare for cold temperatures in many ways. Double-coated breeds in cold climates will blow their summer coat in early fall in order to replace their undercoat with more effective insulating hairs to help keep them warm.
Studies have shown that dogs will increase their calorie consumption as temperatures start to drop. This is a clear sign that the dog’s metabolism is adjusting in order to better deal with colder temperatures.
Dogs who live indoors or in warm climates won’t make these same adjustments in winter. This is why it’s important to give your dog time to acclimate to chilly temperatures before expecting them to handle the cold the way other dogs in the same environment might.
This means that if you have just moved to a cold climate or are taking a winter trip with your pup, you need to be extra careful to protect them from cold temperatures until they adjust. In the same vein, if your dog is used to watching it snow through the window while lounging in front of the fire, you can’t just toss them into the yard one day and expect them to tolerate the cold the way your neighbor’s outdoor dog does.
Let Your Dog Tell You When It’s Too Cold
While there is no simple answer to “how cold is too cold for a dog,” there is an easy way to find out what that answer is for your dog. How? Watch them.
Dogs will tell you when they are too cold by showing signs such as:
- Shivering (body, not teeth)
- Hunched body posture
- Whining
- Lifting their paws
- Curling up on the ground
- Seeking shelter
My Chihuahua will start showing these signs if he’s outside, even briefly when the temp is below fifty. My Dalmatian mix, on the other hand, doesn’t get cold until the temperature drops below freezing, and when that happens, the first sign she’ll show is a hunched body posture.
Watch your dog closely when they are outside in the cold and pay attention to the temperature at which they start to show these signs as well as how long they can tolerate being outside in different temperatures. When they do show signs of being cold, of course, it’s time to let them in.
Use Only Pet Safe Cold Weather Products
When it comes to winter care tips for your dog, you’ll hear a lot of great advice about outdoor time and walks. But what people often forget to consider is the other aspects of winter. Specifically, the products we humans use in the wintertime.
Ice-melting products can be highly toxic to dogs, whether they ingest them directly or just walk over them. Unfortunately, many of the products marketed as being “pet safe” aren’t safe at all. Any salt-based ice melt has the potential to poison dogs who eat it or lick their paws after walking through it. These products are also capable of causing contact burns.
Antifreeze is another product that often makes an appearance this time of year. This highly toxic chemical tastes sweet to dogs (and cats) and is estimated to cause up to 90,000 pet poisonings per year.
Any time you use potentially harmful products around your pets, do what you can to minimize risk. This means keeping them out of your pet’s reach at all times, choosing truly pet-safe options when possible, and taking extra steps like wiping your dog’s paws after walks if they come into contact with these products.
Keep Your Dog Safe This Winter
When it comes to keeping your dog safe in cold weather, it starts with you.
By understanding the different factors that determine your dog’s cold tolerance, you can make better choices about when to take winter walks and how long to leave your dog outside in cold temperatures. Most importantly, remember that cold affects each dog differently, and the best way to keep your dog safe this winter is to pay attention to how they react to cold weather and act appropriately to keep them comfortable.
Sources
Coates, J., DVM. (2024, January 2). How cold is too cold for your dog? PetMD.
Durrer, J. L., & Hannon, J. P. (1962). Seasonal variations in caloric intake of dogs living in an arctic environment. American Journal of Physiology-Legacy Content, 202(2), 375–378.
Gewirtz, E. W. (2024, April 1). What is a double coat, and what dog breeds are Double-Coated? American Kennel Club.
Grauer, G. F. (2024, September 17). Ethylene glycol (Antifreeze) poisoning. Merck Veterinary Manual.
Palestrini, C., Minozzi, G., Mazzola, S. M., Lopez, A., & Cannas, S. (2022). Do intense weather events influence dogs’ and cats’ behavior? Analysis of owner-reported data in Italy. Frontiers in Veterinary Science, 9.
Volpe, P., et al. (2013). The Effects of Environmental Extremes on Working Dogs: A Collaborative Initiative. The United States Army Medical Department Journal, Jan-Mar 2013. The Army Medical Department Journal.
Vt, E. F. (2024, March 5). Cold-weather dog walking tips. NASC LIVE.
Sara Seitz worked in the pet industry for over a decade. In addition to being a certified dog trainer, Sara gained experience working as the general manager of a dog daycare and boarding facility, as the creator and manager of a pet sitting company, as a groomer, and as a dog behavior evaluator. She also has a bachelors in animal behavior from CSU. Currently, Sara works as a freelance writer specializing in blog, article and content writing.
