What To Do If Your Dog Is Too Cold?
Here are some of the signs that your dog is too cold (at risk of or is suffering hypothermia)
- Shaking or shivering excessively
- Hunched posture with a tucked tail
- Whining or barking
- Change in behaviour, like seeming anxious or uncomfortable.
- Reluctance to keep walking or tries to turn around
- Seeks places for shelter
- Lifts paw off the ground
- Pale, cold skin on the extremities (ears, nose, paws, tail)
- Weakness
- Difficulty walking
- Pale gums
- Confusion
- Slow, shallow breathing
- Loss of consciousness
If you see any of these signs, it means your dog is too cold and it’s important to warm your dog up immediately. You can do this by:
- Bringing your dog indoors to a warm place
- Placing a blanket or towel over your dog
- Rubbing your dog’s skin with your hands
- Giving your dog a warm (not hot) bath
- Feeding your dog small amounts of warm food and warm (not hot) water
If your dog is showing signs of hypothermia, it’s important to take them to the vet immediately. Hypothermia can be fatal, so it’s important to seek medical attention if your dog shows any signs of this condition.
Of course prevention is always better than cure so lets look at how best to avoid your furry pal getting too cold in the first place.
- Dress your dog in a sweater or coat if they are going to be outside in cold weather
- Bring your dog indoors if the temperature drops below freezing or drops quickly
- Make sure your dog has access to a warm and dry place to sleep, such as a bed or crate
- Provide your dog with plenty of fresh, warm water
- Watch your dog for signs of hypothermia and take action if necessary
Hypothermia can be fatal, so if have to bring your dog out of a state of severe cold or hypothermia once stabilised it’s important to seek medical attention. Once your dog has warmed, take them to the vet to be checked out.
