The thickness of a dog’s fur, not the length, determines how a dog tolerates cold temperatures. To know if your dog needs a coat to go out, think about how thick your dogs fur is is to determine what your dog needs. Another consideration is how long your pet will be outside. The government has outrageously minimal requirements for dogs which are kept outside. There is a huge gap between their requirements and what is humane.

Nordic breeds were created with dense undercoats and are well suited for cold climates, not so for the majority of the breeds we choose to share our lives with. We humans have created these creatures to be dependent on us. Even large breeds sometimes need help from us to keep them warm.

Sick or elderly dogs might need them even while they are indoors. And don’t forget their feet. Bare tootsies get painfully cold on frozen ground. In extreme cases dog’s body cannibalizes itself to try to keep warm. You may think it is froo-froo to have your dog wear a coat, but you can find lots of “plain jane” coats too.

Bottom line: Pay attention to your dogs. They should NOT be shaking or have the chills ever. They should NOT be holding their feet up because they are too cold to stand on. If they are, go get them a coat!

3 Comments »

1. 

   Could you include the gov regulations of outdoor temperatures when pets should not be outside for extended periods of time as well as you own personal recommendations? I know this depends upon age and breed of the dog too. Thanks!

   Comment by Lisa — December 6, 2008 @ 8:39 pm

2. 

   The following is from Colorado law.
   “Sec. 8-132. Neglect of animals prohibited.
   (a) It shall be unlawful for any person having care, custody or control of any animal to fail to provide such animal with food sufficient for the species, potable water and adequate shelter from the weather, or to cause any of such acts to be done.”

   So “adequate shelter” what does that mean. For me it means an insulated house with a cover over the opening. In cold weather it would be heated and in hot weather it would be cooled. That kinda sounds like my house.

   I spoke to my sister, Dr. Barden of Park Hill Firehouse vet. clinic, about the affects of cold weather on dogs. She had a shar pei come into the clinic recently, it was an outside dog and underweight. She had explain that shar peis were not bred to live in cold temperatures. The dog had already lost weight from trying to stay warm. Just the fact that she had to explain this to the seemingly educated people astounded me.

   Comment by wendy — December 8, 2008 @ 8:45 pm

3. 

   Dr. Barden thought 45 degrees is the coldest temperature a dog could handle for a period of time. (a couple of hours) She suggested figuring out the dog’s surface area to body weight ratio. So, small dog or ones that are on the light-weight side probably can’t tolerate as much cold as large and/or chunky dogs. Regardless of their hair.

   I own small dogs. One is old, chills easily, and has short hair - she wears a coat most of the winter, whether she is inside or outside. One is a chunky monkey, has a short thick coat, and is a canine furnace - she hates her coat and wears it maybe twice in the winter.

   Comment by wendy — December 8, 2008 @ 9:08 pm

RSS feed for comments on this post. TrackBack URL

Leave a comment

Name (required)

Mail (will not be published) (required)

Website