During the recent cold spell, a lot of my friends on social media were asking whether it’s too cold to walk the dog. It’s a good question. Should you walk your dog when it’s really cold out? Is it harmful? Does it matter if your dog isn’t getting daily exercise?
Well, annoyingly, the answer isn’t quite as straightforward as you might think. It’s not a simple yes or no, so it’s no wonder that so many of us are confused. That’s why I thought I’d write a post about this, to help you understand when it’s too cold to walk your dog.
How cold is too cold to walk a dog?
If you’ve looked at the temperature gauge or weather app and struggled to work out whether it’s too cold to walk the dog, you’re not alone. Recently, one of my friends said she was surprised to see her neighbour out walking the dog when it was -8°C outside. Surely that’s too cold, she asked.
For most dogs, yes, freezing temperatures like that are too cold to safely walk a dog. In many cases, somewhere around the 0°C mark is considered the lowest temperature you should go out in. However, there is no definitive cut-off point when it comes to temperature. Let’s look at the reasons for this.
Why it’s not simply a case of temperature
It’s important to understand that it’s not just a case of how cold it is. Before deciding whether you should walk your dog, you should factor in the following:
- The conditions on the ground.
- The wind chill factor.
- Your dog’s breed, age and physical health.
These are the key variables, rather than the temperature alone, that will determine whether or not you should walk your dog. It’s worth looking at each of these factors individually, so you can understand why.
Ground conditions
When you’re making a decision over whether or not to go out with your dog, make sure you consider the ground conditions.
Ice and snow will make the ground feel very cold, so your dog could struggle to walk comfortably. If you’re walking your dog on a lead and conditions are icy, there’s the added danger of slipping over and hurting yourself. Furthermore, ice, snow and salt all have an impact on your dog’s paws and can leave them sore and cracked.
Wind chill factor
You shouldn’t just go by the temperature on your weather gauge or app. You should also consider the wind chill factor. Wind chill can make conditions feel a lot harsher.
So, make sure you check the ‘feels like’ temperature on your local forecast. Or, go outside yourself first. Often, the warmth from the sun can make conditions much more palatable for walking, while cold wind and rain can make it less so.
The breed
A dog’s tolerance for cold weather does depend on its breed. For instance, double-coated dogs are better equipped for the cold weather. Their coats are designed to insulate them against cold and moisture. So, breeds such as Huskies, Malamutes and Bernese Mountain Dogs may be perfectly happy out and about in temperatures below freezing and when there’s a lot of snow on the ground.
However, many small breeds and short-haired dogs with thin frames, such as Dachshunds, Whippets, Greyhounds and Dobermans, are sensitive to cold weather and may start to struggle when temperatures dip to around 5°C to 7°C.
Your dog’s age
It’s not just the type of dog you own. The age of your dog will also determine how well they can cope in the cold weather. Puppies and senior dogs will find wintry conditions much more challenging, so you should always take a more cautious approach to walks. As our dog has got older, we’ve found her tolerance for staying out in the cold weather has lessened and she’s now perfectly happy to have the odd day off.
Physical health
Part of the reason why we don’t take Poppy out in the cold weather as much is because she’s started to show signs of arthritis in her back legs. If we stay out too long, she starts to lift her back paw off the ground. So, it’s important to consider your dog’s physical health. It’s not worth causing your dog pain or discomfort.
Steps to take when walking your dog in cold weather
If you are taking your dog out in cold weather, it’s worth considering the following:
- Putting a jacket on your dog if it’s a breed that’s sensitive to the cold.
- Limiting the time you spend out. Choose a shorter walking route or go for a quick run around in the park.
- Monitoring your dog’s behaviour while you’re out. Cut the walk short if you notice any telltale signs of discomfort, such as shivering, paw lifting or heavy breathing.
- Avoiding pavements, paths and roads that are gritted heavily or covered with a hard layer of ice.
Alternatives to walking your dog in the cold
Unless you have a high-energy working dog breed, missing the odd walk is unlikely to cause any problems. In fact, some dogs will thank you for letting them have an extra snooze. That’s certainly the case with our beagle.
However, dogs can get bored if they’re stuck indoors with nothing to do. That can result in ‘naughty’ behaviour. So, if you are staying in when it’s cold, spend some enrichment time with your dog. Learning new tricks or playing new games is a good way to tire your dog out.
Encouraging your dog to spend 15 to 30 minutes ‘working’ is just as beneficial as a walk. We found this out when we first adopted Poppy and began some training exercises. We’ve found that activities that use a dog’s brain or nose are absolute winners. Here’s a few ideas for activities to do with your dog:
- Fill a snuffle mat or snuffle toy with treats or kibble.
- Play ‘find it’. We hide kibble around the room (under the rug, behind a sofa cushion etc) but if your dog is toy rather than food driven, you could hide a ball or soft toy somewhere in the house.
- Teach them a new trick. I recently taught Poppy to squeak her ball when she hears the command ‘ball’. For this, she’s rewarded with a treat.
How do you and your dog cope in the cold weather? Let us know in the comments below! Looking for more helpful tips like this? Check out our advice section here.