WITH temperatures dropping below freezing in parts of the UK, experts are advising dog owners to be cautious during walks.
Although dogs may be covered in fur, some care must still be taken for pooches during the winter.
When is it too cold to walk your dog?
Dogs have natural fur coats to protect them from snow and cold weather but this doesn't mean they're immune to significant drops in temperature.
There are even some cases in which it may be too cold for your dog to go out for a walk.
According to FetchPet, the size of your pup and the thickness of their coat that will help determine when it's safe for them to go outside in winter.
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Small or medium-sized dogs with thin coats could be at risk of serious conditions if they go outside when the temperature is 7C or lower.
Some bigger dogs with thicker coats, such as Siberian huskies, are more suited to colder climates and should be fine for long, winter walks.
All dogs, regardless of size, face higher chances of frostbite and hypothermia if they're out at temperatures below -6C, Fetch Pet veterinarian Dr Aliya McCullough warns.
Experts have advised that one cold days it is best to avoid early morning or late evening walks, and to stick to strolls in the middle of the day when temperatures are likely to be warmer.
Shorter walks are also recommended as the longer a dog is outside, the lower their body temperature will drop.
Pooches are also best kept on a lead so that they avoid any unsafe obstacles that may be covered in frost or snow.
The RSPCA has also warned dog owners that they should check their dog's paws after being out in the cold, saying: "If it's snowing outside, watch out for your dogs' paws becoming compacted with snow, which is uncomfortable for them.
They also gave a further tip, adding: "[Also] be aware that antifreeze and rock salt can be poisonous to pets.
"Wash their paws thoroughly after walking your dog in areas that may have been gritted with rock salt."
How do I know if my dog is warm enough?
Dogs have several ways of showing their owners that they're feeling too cold.
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Some of the signs include:
- Shivering or trembling
- Slow walking
- Stops walking or refuses to walk
- Tucking their tail between their legs
- Holding their paws up
- Their ears and nose are really cold
Your dog is probably warm enough if none of these signs are present.
There are plenty of clothing options to help keep your dog warm during winter such as coats and booties.
You could also invest in a pet heating pad or put a towel in your dryer on a low setting and then wrap it around your dog as soon as you arrive home from the walk.
Should I walk my dog in the snow?
All dogs are different and it depends on the type of breed you own.
Typically smaller dogs, short-haired breeds and puppies will get colder easier than their larger & long-haired counter parts.
A husky, for example, is born to be in the snow, but if you have a small poodle it may struggle to stay outside for long.
Walking your dog in snowy conditions is generally fine if care and precautions are taken.
Do keep in mind that, if it is too cold for you to go outside, then it is probably the same case for your dog.