Living in hot rooms and eating warm foods may an exciting component of cold weather. If you are fond of cuddling with your lovely furry friend, you can have plenty of time and environment for doing so. But besides the perks of cold weather, there are some severe issues of cold you have to deal with. Dogs have much more capacity to survive in colds than humans. But after a certain drop in temperature, you need to take care of your pet to protect him from the cold.
So, sit back! This article will educate you about the consequences of cold weather and tips to protect your dog from cold and start your pet cold management journey.
How to Tell if Your Dog is Cold?
Dogs are warm-blooded mammals, and they can regulate their body temperature according to the outside environment. However, in harsh environments, they need extra care to regulate their body temperature. If you want to know whether your dog is feeling cold or not, there are some obvious signs.
- 1.Your dog will express shivering, and his body will be in a hunched posture. The dog will try to decrease the body surface area as much as he can.
- 2.Your furry friend will feel anxious, barks more frequently, and seek places for shelter.
If the temperature goes down for prolong period, your furry friend may experience hypothermia. Its signs are as follows.
- 1.Your furry friend will experience weakness, lethargy, and muscle weakness. Its metabolism will be decreased, and there will be a lack of mental alertness.
- 2.Pupils will dilate and remain in the dilated state, and there will be a loss of conscience.
How Cold is Too Cold for Dogs?
Dogs can survive the cold temperature more than humans do. This is because their thick skin coat with plenty of hair make them more adapted to cold temperature. As a result, they don’t need a coat or sweater at or above 45°F. However, at a temperature below 45°F, your dog starts feeling uncomfortable and needs protection.
As the temperature starts decreasing from 45°F and reaches 32°F, you need to protect your furry friend from cold using a sweater or coat. At or below 32°F, your dog may express signs of cold or hypothermia. Therefore, at these lowered temperatures, you need to follow the guidelines I will describe in this article to protect your beloved furry friend from the cold.
Consequences of the Cold
Cold temperature may have severe complications to the extent that it may lead to death. At first, cold temperature leads to discomfort and joint stiffness, which impairs regular movement and activities. It increases the risk of slipping/falling and exposure to toxins. Temperature management in older dogs becomes compromised.
