What To Do If My Dog Is Cold? Feel Them Warm Guide
We want our dogs to be happy all the time. But most of the time, when the temperature drops, our pets are not happy. Most dog parents are oblivious to this, resulting in many hyperthermic casualties during cold seasons.
It is crucial to keep an eye on your pup during these times. But do you know what to do if your dog is cold? Read on to find out more!
What to do if my dog is cold? A dog parent at least faces this doubt once in their parenting career. But bringing your puppy inside, providing a cozy bed with warm blankets, adjusting the thermostat to a decent level, buying him a dog jacket, etc., will help keep your pet warm throughout the winter.
One thing that you should really consider is the surrounding temperature. There is one universal logic to understand if your pet is cold. That is, if you are cold, your dog is probably too.
Therefore, don’t just stop there by getting yourself a warm blanket. Consider giving your pet one too.
What To Do If My Dog Is Cold?
You must keep an eye on the outside and inside temperatures throughout the winter season. It will let you know whether you can take your dog outside for a quick walk to relieve himself and how long you can keep him outside.
Knowing the temperature inside the house will tell you whether you must heat the house a little more. This way, once you get home after being outside, the warmth inside will quickly put the dog at ease.
Once the temperature reaches closer to 32⁰ Fahrenheit, keep in mind that dogs are very uncomfortable with temperatures this low.
Therefore, keeping him outside too long will not be an option for you. Try to take your furry friend for a brief moment and also stay near the house. Thereby, if the puppy got too cold, you could rush to the comforts of your house within a moment.
Sometimes, when you take him out to let him potty outside, that brief moment can make your dog cold. And when you return home, you will wonder what to do if your dog is cold. Here are some of the quick ways to warm your pet up if you’re taking him out.
- Trim the hair around their paws
You must consider doing this before the winter season hits the town. A dog’s paws are the main body part that comes in contact with water or snow during the colder months.
So shaving the fur around the paw pads will make sure he quickly warms up after going out.
If you shave your dogs during warmer days, ensure enough time for the fur coat to grow back. It is one of the imperative factors that keep your canine child warm.
- Put a dog jacket on
Are you another pet parent wondering, “what to do if my dog is cold?” Why not try some dog suits?
We change our clothing style according to the season. Just like that, you will find many dog clothes in the shops as the temperature drops.
So you can put on one of such jackets and mufflers when taking the dog out. That will keep him warm until you return home.
If you are going for a run or a short walk, you can also make your pet wear some boots, so his paws will not get cold.
- Make sure you have given their meals
To keep the body temperature up during cold days, dogs need energy. And if you are not feeding him enough, there is a higher chance that he’ll get hyperthermic very soon.
And when you are taking him out for a quick run or to potty, it is always a good idea to do it after you feed your furry friend. This way, he will have enough energy to stay warm.
Should I Be Worried If My Dog Is Cold?
The answer to this will always be a big YES. Dogs indeed have thick fur coats to protect them from cold days. But that doesn’t mean that this second skin will protect them from freezing out until the very end.
There is a limit up to where dogs can tolerate temperature drops. But once it gets around 32⁰ Fahrenheit, dogs are highly susceptible to hyperthermia and frost bites.
As I mentioned above, if you are feeling the cold getting to you, your furry friend can probably feel that, too. Therefore, before panicking, and thinking about what to do if your dog is cold, look out for these subtle symptoms in your pet.
- Shivering
- Being lazy and lethargic
- Discolored gums
- The body is cold to touch
- Movement difficulties
- Dilated pupils
- Collapse
How Do You Warm Up A Dog Fast?
Worried sick about what to do if my dog is cold? Then try these methods to warm up your dog fast.
- Have a separate small heater on hand – Small heaters heat up faster and will warm up the dog much quicker.
- Make sure the pet has a warm and cozy corner to lie down to. And move his bed to another place in the house if the current place is damp and colder.
- Keep the dog’s paws moisturized, so the temperature drop will not make your four-legged friend hyperventilate.
- Give your dog some warm water bottles—this way; the dog will feel much at ease with a warm blanket.
During the colder days, do not leave your pets outside. If possible, keep an eye on your little ones at all times. This way, you will notice all the subtle changes in them and will have enough time to prevent them from being hyperthermic.
And this is the season when you can really cuddle with the pet for a long time. So why don’t you take up the chance and let your dog friend cuddle next to you without worrying?
Thank you for reading this post. Stay tuned with Jack Russell Owner for more interesting posts about your four legged friend. Cheers!!