Does Your Dog Need Warm Clothes in Freezing Weather?

Photo: Vecteezy

Lindsey Merkel, a specialist in internal medicine for dogs and cats at the University of Minnesota (USA), shared her advice on pet care during the winter period.

Who is Immune to the Cold, and Who Needs Protection?

According to the expert, active medium and large dogs with thick fur usually do not need additional clothing unless they are exposed to freezing temperatures for longer than half an hour. However, the situation changes when it comes to small dogs or breeds with short fur. For example, Whippets (small English sighthounds) can start shivering from the cold even at +15°C. If the thermometer drops below zero, protection may be necessary for any small or inactive animal.

The main signs that your dog is cold are shivering, chattering teeth, attempts to curl into a ball, or a desire to hide under a blanket. As the specialist notes, if an animal shivers for several hours consecutively, it loses the ability to warm itself due to fatigue, which can lead to hypothermia.

What's the Best Way to Warm Your Dog?

Many owners mistakenly believe that a wool sweater is the best solution. In reality, dogs lose heat primarily through their paw pads and the exposed part of their belly. A covered back offers little help in truly freezing weather. Moreover, in wet weather, ordinary fabric clothing can even be harmful: it absorbs moisture and prevents the dog from shaking it off effectively, which only accelerates the body's cooling.

“If your goal is to warm your dog, choose a waterproof jacket that covers the belly,” advises Lindsey Merkel.

Павялічыць

Photo: Vecteezy

Paws – The Main Priority

If you are seriously concerned about your pet's comfort, Merkel recommends purchasing special waterproof boots.

For dogs that absolutely refuse to wear boots, the specialist suggests using the experience of dog sledders – rubbing their paws with a special wax or balm. This creates a waterproof barrier that prevents frostbite and keeps paws from sticking to ice.

Wax and boots also prevent salt and sand, which are used to grit streets, from getting on the paws. Salt can cause dryness, cracks, and irritation of the paw pads.

If special wax is not at hand, even ordinary petroleum jelly can help.

What if You Want to Dress Your Pet?

If it's dry outside and you simply want to amuse yourself and others, there's nothing wrong with dressing your dog in a stylish jacket or even a hat. Today, there are models for every taste: from functional vests with pockets for leashes and balls to camouflage bulletproof vests for service dogs.

Павялічыць

Photo: Vecteezy

The main thing is to remember that the animal's comfort is more important than aesthetics. If the dog feels uncomfortable in clothing, it's better to stick to massaging its paws with protective wax before going outside.

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