As temperatures fall and conditions become unsafe, dog owners are being cautioned to look out for their pet and know when they are too cold
Dog owners are being urged to take extra care this winter, as vets and animal charities warn that some pets face a higher risk in freezing temperatures and cold-related illness can become life-threatening if it goes unnoticed.
While most of our furry friends can handle a typical winter walk without any issues, specialists say the danger increases quickly for dogs that lose heat rapidly. This includes very small breeds, short-coated dogs and puppies. Additionally older dogs or those with underlying health problems can also struggle more when the temperature drops.
Early signs that a dog is becoming too cold may appear as “just being tired,” but can quickly turn into to shivering, weakness, pale gums and confusion. In severe cases, hypothermia can develop and it becomes an emergency, with owners being urged to take their dog to the vet.
Animal charity RSPCA has stated that there are telling signs that your dog is too cold, these include lifting paws off icy or wet ground, slowing down, refusing to walk or trying to turn back from home. Often these traits are dismissed by owners as there dogs being too stubborn, but they are strong signals that the animal is struggling to stay warm.
What dogs are most at risk during the winter conditions
Certain breeds are at more risk than others(Image: Getty)
Some types of dogs are more prone to chilling quickly and may show these signs much sooner than others. Breeds that tend to be at higher risk of cold-related stress include:
Chihuahua – Very small body size and short coat make them lose heat fastGreyhound and Whippet – Lean bodies and short hair provide minimal insulationDachshund – Low to the ground with short coats, they can struggle in wet, cold weatherDalmatian – Short coat and little underfur means less natural warmthFrench Bulldog – Flat faces and low tolerance for extreme temperatures can make cold walks dangerous
For these dogs and others with short or thin coats, even minor shivering or paw-lifting usually indicates that conditions are too cold for them to stay outside much longer.
Charities including RSPCA and Dogs Trust recommend dog owners take extra care in the winter. They advise owners to shorten walks, towel-dry dogs as soon as there back indoors and focus on getting pets warm and dry rather than trying to push through with a full-length walk.
Additionally they advise owners to wipe down paws, legs and belly as soon as their dogs are exposed to wet surfaces, grit or road salt, to prevent chilled fur from holding moisture against the skin.
Online behaviour also shows pet owners are increasingly turning to google for guidance. Analysts at Four Pillar SEO report that searches for canine health issues surge by 40 per cent in winter, with over 1.2 million UK searches for pet advice each month.
Social media and community pages, such as Facebook and Instagram, have seen a 22 per cent increase in owners crowdsourcing medical guidance, often driven by rising veterinary costs – standard consultations averaging £60, and emergency out-of-hours fees frequently starting at £200.
Owners should ‘limit’ their walking routine as the temperture continue to drop(Image: Gary Hershorn/Getty Images)
This results in many dog owners attempting to “self-diagnose” their pets to avoid paying high vet fees. Oliver Weston, SEO expert at Four Pillar SEO, warns dog owners against doing this.
He explains: “We see the same pattern each winter: urgency drives people toward quick clips and short-form posts because they want answers in seconds.
“While these ‘hacks’ can be helpful for general wellness, they often lack the nuance required for genuine emergencies. Fast answers are no substitute for professional expertise when it comes to life-threatening risks like hypothermia and antifreeze poisoning.”
Most winter related health problems in pets are avoidable, but owners should not delay if a dog appears seriously unwell. Pets that are very weak, struggling to strand, breathing oddly or showing signs of collapse require urgent veterinary care.
Not every dog is built for long winter walks, and cold can be far more dangerous for some breeds than many owners realise. Taking a few precautions can help keep winter outings safe, and keep pets out of emergency care.
