How to Keep Your Dog Warm in Winter

Vet verified. Written by Corinne Homer, Copywriter. Reviewed by Dr. Linda Simon MVB MRCVS, Team Vet.

Dogs can get dangerously cold even when they have fur. Wind, wet weather, time outside, age, body condition, health and coat type all change how quickly a dog loses heat. The safest rule is to watch the individual dog instead of trusting one temperature chart.

This guide covers early cold signs, winter clothing, paw care, indoor warmth, food, outside hazards and emergency warning signs. Prepare before the first freeze so you can shorten exposure without sacrificing bathroom breaks, movement or enrichment.

Signs your dog is feeling cold

Bring your dog inside when you notice early discomfort. Common signs include:

• shivering or trembling;
• lifting paws, slowing down or refusing to walk;
• whining, seeking shelter or turning toward home;
• a tucked tail, hunched posture or tightly curled body;
• cold ears or paws;
• reduced energy, weakness or confusion;
• pale, gray, bluish or unusually red skin on exposed areas.

Shivering can stop as hypothermia becomes severe, so a quiet, weak dog is not necessarily improving. Slow breathing, collapse, marked confusion or unresponsiveness is an emergency. Frostbite most often affects the ears, tail, paws and nose and may cause discoloration, swelling or pain.

Move a cold dog into a dry sheltered space, remove wet material and wrap them in warm blankets. Use warm, not hot, water bottles wrapped in towels if the veterinarian advises it. Do not rub suspected frostbite, use direct high heat or delay veterinary care.

Ways to keep your dog warm in winter

Choose a well-fitted dog coat

Small dogs, short-coated breeds, lean sighthounds, puppies, seniors and dogs with certain health conditions may benefit from an insulated coat or sweater. Measure the neck, chest and back and follow the maker's size chart. The garment should cover the chest and back without restricting the shoulders, breathing, urination, hearing or vision.

Water resistance matters in snow or cold rain because wet fur loses insulation. Remove a wet coat indoors, dry the dog and inspect for rubbing. Introduce clothing in short reward-based steps, as explained in our guide to dogs who dislike clothing.

Shorten exposure in severe weather

Use shorter, more frequent walks when it is bitterly cold, windy or icy. Choose daylight when possible and keep the dog leashed near frozen water. Indoor sniffing games and brief training sessions can replace some outdoor activity without demanding prolonged cold exposure.

Keep winter coats functional

Do not shave a dog down to the skin for winter unless a veterinarian requires it. Keep long coats brushed so mats do not trap moisture against the skin. Dry the belly, legs and feet after wet walks, especially on dogs with feathering.

Protect paws from ice and salt

Well-fitted booties can reduce contact with ice, rough crust and deicing products if the dog tolerates them. Check fit and remove them after the walk. Otherwise, avoid heavily treated surfaces, inspect between the toes and wipe paws with a warm damp cloth.

Create a warm resting area

Place a padded bed away from exterior doors and drafts. A raised or well-insulated bed can separate the dog from a cold tile or concrete floor. Provide clean dry blankets that the dog can move away from, and make sure water remains available.

Use only pet-safe warming products and follow the instructions. Inspect cords, avoid direct skin contact with hot surfaces and supervise dogs who chew. Dogs must be able to leave the heat source. Ordinary electric blankets, space heaters and hot water bottles can burn, overheat or create cord hazards.

Keep identification and visibility current

Snow can hide familiar scent and visual landmarks. Use a secure leash, reflective gear and a light when visibility is poor. Confirm the microchip registration and collar tag before winter travel.

How cold is too cold for a dog?

There is no exact outdoor temperature that is safe for every dog. Wind chill, wet fur, sunshine, activity and exposure time can matter as much as the air reading. A healthy acclimated northern breed may remain comfortable where a small short-coated dog quickly struggles.

At freezing temperatures and below, increase caution for every dog and reduce exposure for vulnerable individuals. Watch behavior continuously and turn back at the first sign of discomfort. The American Animal Hospital Association cold-weather guidance notes that all pets, including thick-coated breeds, can be vulnerable to frostbite and hypothermia.

Do dogs get cold in the house?

Yes. Drafts, unheated rooms and cold floors can affect puppies, seniors, very small dogs, thin-coated dogs and dogs recovering from illness or surgery. Instead of relying on one thermostat number, check whether the dog can rest without shivering, repeatedly seeking heat or curling tightly.

Provide choice: a warmer padded bed and a cooler open area. A dog wearing a sweater indoors should be checked for rubbing and overheating and should not be left unattended if the garment can snag.

How breed, age and health affect cold tolerance

Double-coated breeds generally retain heat better than dogs with a single short coat, but breed is only one factor. Puppies do not regulate temperature as reliably, and older dogs may have reduced mobility, lower muscle mass or chronic disease. Underweight dogs have less insulation, while obesity does not make prolonged cold safe.

Arthritis can feel more noticeable in cold conditions when activity and footing change. Use nonslip paths, avoid icy stairs and discuss stiffness or reluctance with the veterinarian. Read more about cold weather and dog joints.

Dogs with heart, lung, endocrine, neurologic or mobility problems may need a personalized limit. Brachycephalic dogs can struggle with exertion and breathing even in winter gear. Ask the veterinarian before increasing exercise or using a warming device after surgery.

Should dogs eat more in winter?

Most indoor companion dogs do not automatically need extra calories in winter. Some are less active and may gain weight if food is increased. Working dogs or dogs housed outdoors under veterinary-approved conditions may have higher energy needs, but the change depends on workload, shelter, coat and climate.

Feed a complete and balanced diet for the dog's life stage, monitor body condition and ask the veterinarian before changing portions. Fresh water remains essential, and outdoor bowls must not freeze. Never use fatty table scraps as a warming strategy.

Winter hazards beyond the temperature

Antifreeze

Ethylene glycol antifreeze can cause fatal kidney injury after a small exposure. Store it securely, clean spills immediately and keep dogs away from leaking vehicles. Suspected licking or ingestion is an emergency even if the dog looks normal.

Ice melt and road salt

Deicers can irritate paws and may be swallowed during grooming. Wipe feet and the lower legs after walks. Contact a veterinarian or poison control service after suspected significant ingestion.

Frozen water and hidden objects

Do not allow a dog onto a frozen pond or lake. Snow can conceal holes, wire, sharp ice and other hazards. Keep the dog leashed in unfamiliar areas and choose cleared, nonslip routes.

Cars and enclosed spaces

A parked vehicle can become dangerously cold. Do not use a car as winter housing or leave a vulnerable dog waiting without climate control and supervision.

Winter travel and power outages

Keep a cold-weather kit in the car with a dry towel, spare blanket, leash, water, current medication and veterinary contact details. A coat should never replace a safe cabin temperature. Secure the dog with an appropriate restraint, and check road conditions before leaving so a delay does not turn into prolonged exposure.

At home, plan for heating outages before they happen. Choose an interior room away from drafts, layer dry bedding and know which pet-friendly warming center or hotel you could reach. Portable fuel-burning heaters and generators must never be used in an enclosed living space because carbon monoxide can kill people and pets without warning.

Snowballs in the coat

Wet snow can pack between toes and form balls along feathered legs, the belly and chest. Do not pull hardened ice from fur. Move indoors, let it soften with lukewarm water and dry the skin carefully. Regular grooming around the feet may help, but avoid cutting close to skin when the dog is cold, wet or moving.

Winter dog-walk checklist

• check temperature, wind, precipitation and route conditions;
• fit the coat or booties before leaving;
• carry a towel and choose a shorter turnaround point;
• use a secure leash and reflective identification;
• avoid frozen water and visible chemical spills;
• watch for shivering, paw lifting, slowing or confusion;
• wipe and dry paws, belly and coat when you return.

Frequently asked questions

How do I keep my dog warm at night?

Use a dry padded bed away from drafts, provide safe blankets and keep the room comfortable for that dog. A pet-safe warming device must follow its instructions and allow the dog to move away.

How do I keep a dog warm in a crate?

Only use a crate the dog already finds comfortable. Place it away from drafts, use safe dry bedding and maintain room temperature. Do not cover ventilation or add unsupervised cords, hot bottles or snag-prone clothing.

Can dogs keep themselves warm in winter?

Some tolerate cold better than others, but every dog can become hypothermic or frostbitten. Monitor the individual, limit exposure and provide dry shelter and warmth.

Can puppies get cold at night?

Yes. Puppies can lose heat quickly. Keep the sleeping area dry, draft-free and comfortably warm, and contact a veterinarian if a puppy is shivering, weak, poorly responsive or not eating.