How Cold Is Too Cold for a Dog to Go Outside? Safety Tips

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Keep your furry friend warm & safe during the winter
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There’s nothing that most dogs like more than going on a long walk, but when does it become dangerous due to the cold? The answer to this question depends largely on your dog’s breed, health, and disposition, but it’s generally considered safe to take a dog out for an extended period of time if it’s 45 °F (7 °C) or higher. But what about when it’s colder than that? We’ll break all of this down and more.

What temperature is safe for dogs to be outside?

Every breed is different and dogs are unique personalities with their own personal preferences, but 40–45 °F (4–7 °C) is generally considered the threshold for dogs being safe outside. At temperatures below 32 °F (0 °C), dogs risk damaging their paws, getting frostbite, or developing hypothermia.

Section 1 of 6:

How cold is too cold for dogs to be outside?

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  1. Every dog is different and there are a lot of variables that go into whether a dog can safely stay outside or not, but as a very general rule of thumb, most dogs will be comfortable outside for a few hours when it is 40–45 °F (4–7 °C). [1]
    • What temperature is too cold for dogs to sleep outside? Dogs cannot sleep outside if it’s below 45 °F (7 °C), but 60 °F (16 °C) is the ideal temperature for snoozes outside. [2]
    • What temperature is ideal for dogs to be comfortable indoors? Basically all dogs are most comfortable when it’s 60–80 °F (16–27 °C), which is great since this is most people’s preferred temperature to begin with. [3]
  2. 2
    Every dog is unique, but breed is the biggest factor. Like people, dogs are all unique personalities with their own special quirks and preferences. The same way some people really hate it when it’s over 80 °F (27 °C) and others start freezing their butts off at 45 °F (7 °C), every dog is unique. However, dogs have been domesticated and bred to perform all kinds of different jobs in all sorts of different environments, so breed is the single biggest factor here. Here are some more general guidelines: [4]
    • Small breeds: Smaller dog breeds, like pomeranians, Shih Tzus, Yorkshire terriers, and Jack Russell terriers, do not have the thick bones and coats needed to sustain themselves in the cold. They should not be outside in 32–45 °F (0–7 °C) weather for more than 15-30 minutes. [5]
    • Medium-to-large breeds: Breeds like dalmatians, rottweilers, great danes, golden retrievers, and English bulldogs can be in 40–45 °F (4–7 °C) weather for a few hours so long as they’re not uncomfortable. They can handle freezing temperatures for up to 30 minutes if they’re exercising. [6]
    • Arctic breeds: Dogs bred for the cold, like Norwegian elkhounds, Tibetan mastiffs, Huskies, and akitas are happy in the cold. These breeds can handle freezing temperatures for up to an hour, but will can stay outside indefinitely if it’s just chilly. [7]
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Section 2 of 6:

How cold is too cold for a dog walk?

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  1. If it’s below 20 °F (−7 °C), it’s too cold for a dog walk. Unless you have an Arctic breed of dog wearing protective booties, walks that last more than 2-3 minutes become dangerous for most dogs when it’s under 20 °F (−7 °C) or so. It’s dangerous to their paws, which can get frostbite, and dogs are prone to hypothermia at these levels. [8]
    • You can (and should) still let your dog out to use the bathroom, but you shouldn’t spend any extended time outside if you don’t have to.
    • Dogs still need to go out when it’s freezing outside. If they don’t get the exercise they need on a walk, spend more time playing with them indoors.
    EXPERT TIP

    Brian Bourquin, DVM

    Veterinarian
    Brian Bourquin, better known as “Dr. B” to his clients, is a Veterinarian and the Owner of Boston Veterinary Clinic, a pet health care and veterinary clinic with three locations, South End/Bay Village, the Seaport, and Brookline, Massachusetts. Boston Veterinary Clinic specializes in primary veterinary care, including wellness and preventative care, sick and emergency care, soft-tissue surgery, dentistry. The clinic also provides specialty services in behavior, nutrition, and alternative pain management therapies using acupuncture, and therapeutic laser treatments. Boston Veterinary Clinic is an AAHA (American Animal Hospital Association) accredited hospital and Boston’s first Fear Free Certified Clinic. Brian has over 19 years of veterinary experience and earned his Doctor of Veterinary Medicine from Cornell University.
    Brian Bourquin, DVM
    Veterinarian

    The old adage “if you’re cold, they’re cold” is true. If you step outside and you feel like you have the need to have gloves or a hat on, and if you're bouncing from foot to foot because you're so cold, then your pet is cold, too. There are a few exceptions, but if your nose is cold your dog’s nose is cold.

Section 3 of 6:

Factors Impacting a Dog’s Ability to Handle the Cold

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  1. Dogs with thicker coats, or multiple coats, will have a much easier time handling the cold than dogs with thinner coats. This is especially true for double-coated breeds, like Corgis, Bernese Mountain dogs, and St. Bernards. [9]
    • If your dog has a shorter coat and it sheds a consistent amount, it doesn’t have a double-coat.
  2. 2
    Coat color Darker-colored fur has an easier time absorbing sunlight and retaining heat, so a dog with white fur will likely get colder faster than a dog of the same breed with a black coat. [10]
    • Why are so many arctic breeds white, then? Huskies, Malamutes, Samoyeds, and other arctic dogs with whiter coats evolved their color to help camouflage them in the snow and ice. [11] These dogs don’t need darker fur because their coats are so dense.
  3. 3
    Weight Body fat is a natural insulator, so dogs who are a little on the bigger side are more likely to handle the cold better. That said, don’t let your dog become overweight on purpose–the health risks don’t even come close to justifying the benefit of making your dog slightly more comfortable in the snow. [12]
  4. 4
    Conditioning The same way that people can train themselves to handle colder weather by spending more time in it, dogs with more experience in the cold can learn to acclimate as well. This isn’t to say that you should intentionally keep a dog outside in the cold to get them used to it, but if your dog likes running around in the snow, they’ll slowly increase their ability to stay outside if you take them out for exercise regularly. [13]
  5. 5
    Age & overall health A younger, healthier dog will have a much easier time handling the cold than an older dog with some health issues. [14]
    • Do not force an elderly dog to take an extended walk in the freezing cold. It’s hard on an elderly dog’s immune system.
  6. 6
    Weather Intense rain, blizzard conditions, and intense winds will all negatively impact a dog’s ability to stay outside when it’s extremely cold out. Dogs are also more likely to struggle with the cold if there’s no sun out due to a cloud cover. [15]
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Section 4 of 6:

How to Tell if Your Dog Is Cold

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  1. 1
    Shivering, trembling, or shaking Dogs will naturally begin to shiver and move if they’re getting cold the same way people do. They do this to help generate body heat. [16]
  2. 2
    Whining, anxious behavior, or seeking shelter If a dog is whining, shying away from you, hiding behind you, or trying to get back indoors by standing by a door, they’re too cold to be outside. Dogs will reflexively become anxious and uncomfortable if they feel like they’re reaching excessively cold levels. [17]
  3. 3
    Cold ears and body If you feel your dog’s ears and torso and they’re cold to the touch, your dog is probably too cold. Dogs should be generating heat that you can feel when you dig your fingers under their fur–even in the cold. [18]
  4. 4
    Slow movement or stooping Take your dog inside ASAP if they begin to move really slowly or they seem to be struggling to maintain their normal posture. This is a sign that your dog is excessively cold to a potentially dangerous point. [19] See an emergency vet if your dog develops any advanced signs of hypothermia: [20]
    • Muscle stiffness
    • Trouble walking
    • Pale gums
    • Confusion
    • Fixed or dilated pupils
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Section 5 of 6:

How to Keep Dogs Warm in the Cold

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  1. If you’re going out for a walk in weather under 32 °F (0 °C) and you do not have a double-coat or an Arctic breed, dress your dog up in a coat and paw booties . The same way your coat and boots keep you warm in the winter, your dog’s coat and boots will keep them warm in the cold. [21]
    • You do not have to use a coat or booties if your dog is comfortable in colder weather or you’re only going on a very short trip outside (like a minute or two).
  2. 2
    Provide a warm place for your dog at all times. Even if you do let your snow-loving pup hang out in the yard when it’s freezing out, always give them the opportunity to go somewhere warm. Whether they have a heated dog house or there’s a doggie door to get back indoors whenever they want, they should always have the option to go somewhere warmer. [22]
    • Even Arctic breeds require a warm place. As tempting as it may be to leave your Husky or Samoyed outdoors in the snow indefinitely, even the coldest-loving dogs need to eventually warm up. Do not deny your dog the ability to stay warm.
  3. 3
    Minimize how much time your dog spends outside. If you have a dog that doesn’t excel in winter weather and it’s especially cold out, just skip the extended trips outside. Let your dog out to their business and go back inside. You can always help them get their exercise inside . [23]
    EXPERT TIP

    Ovidiu Stoica

    Professional Dog Trainer
    Ovidiu Stoica is a Professional Dog Trainer and the Founder/Owner of NYC Doggies. With over 20 years of professional experience working with dogs, Ovidiu is well versed in providing various dog care services and specializes in dog obedience and behavioral training. Ovidiu and his staff, who have more than 45 years of cumulative experience in the NYC dog walking business, provide personalized dog services including dog training, walking, hiking, boarding, sitting, and puppy care.
    Ovidiu Stoica
    Professional Dog Trainer

    Continue to exercise your dog when it’s cold out. Dogs need exercise when the weather is cold as much as at any other time of year. Plan opportunities for short but rigorous outdoor exercise, bring a coat in case it is needed, and watch carefully for signs like lethargy, stiffness, and shivering.

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Section 6 of 6:

Is it bad for a dog’s paws to walk in the cold?

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  1. In freezing temperatures, put booties on your dog or apply protective paw balm to their feet to help them stay protected. Aside from hypothermia and paw blisters, your dog’s paws may get cut on salt, snow, or hardened soil in the cold. On top of that, the cold will dry your dog’s paws out, which could cause more irritation after the walk. [24]
    • If you don’t have paw balm or booties, petroleum jelly will work in a pinch. Just rub each of your dog’s feet with the petroleum jelly and work it into their pads by hand.

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      References

      1. ↑ https://vetmed.tamu.edu/news/pet-talk/how-cold-is-too-cold/
      2. ↑ https://www.fetchpet.com/the-dig/how-cold-is-too-cold-for-dogs
      3. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/temperature-setting-for-dogs-in-winter/
      4. ↑ https://vetmed.tamu.edu/news/pet-talk/how-cold-is-too-cold/
      5. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/how-long-can-dogs-be-outside/
      6. ↑ https://www.petsbest.com/blog/how-cold-is-too-cold-for-dogs
      7. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/health/how-long-can-dogs-be-outside/
      8. ↑ https://thevets.com/resources/pet-safety/when-is-it-too-cold-to-walk-your-dog/
      9. ↑ https://www.akc.org/expert-advice/dog-breeds/double-coated-dog-breeds/
      1. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29496012/
      2. ↑ https://www.ucdavis.edu/curiosity/news/dog-coat-patterns-have-ancient-origin
      3. ↑ https://outwardhound.com/furtropolis/dogs/how-cold-is-too-cold-for-dogs
      4. ↑ https://drjeffnichol.com/dogs-outside-in-cold-weather/
      5. ↑ https://www.vet.cornell.edu/departments-centers-and-institutes/riney-canine-health-center/canine-health-information/winter-safety-tips
      6. ↑ https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/29496012/
      7. ↑ https://thevets.com/resources/pet-safety/when-is-it-too-cold-to-walk-your-dog/
      8. ↑ https://thevets.com/resources/pet-safety/when-is-it-too-cold-to-walk-your-dog/
      9. ↑ https://www.betterpet.com/learn/cold-dog-ears
      10. ↑ https://thevets.com/resources/pet-safety/when-is-it-too-cold-to-walk-your-dog/
      11. ↑ https://www.petmd.com/dog/conditions/cardiovascular/dog-hypothermia
      12. ↑ https://yourpetandyou.elanco.com/us/health-and-care/five-tips-on-how-to-keep-dogs-warm-in-winter
      13. ↑ https://yourpetandyou.elanco.com/us/health-and-care/five-tips-on-how-to-keep-dogs-warm-in-winter
      14. ↑ https://yourpetandyou.elanco.com/us/health-and-care/five-tips-on-how-to-keep-dogs-warm-in-winter
      15. ↑ https://www.animalhumanesociety.org/resource/protect-your-dogs-paws-winter-weather

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