A heated flat seems safe from the cold. Yet between the tiles, the draughts and the walks in the rain, some dogs feel cold all winter. Here is how to spot a dog that feels the cold and help them, indoors and out.
The dogs most sensitive to cold
- Small dogs, which lose their heat faster (Chihuahua, Yorkshire Terrier, miniature Pinscher and so on).
- Short-haired dogs with no undercoat (whippet, greyhound, Dalmatian, Boxer and so on).
- Puppies, who still regulate their temperature poorly.
- Older dogs, often less active and sometimes stiff in the joints.
- Thin or ill dogs, which have fewer reserves.
A husky or a Bernese Mountain Dog, with its thick double coat, copes with cold far better. It may even sometimes be too hot next to a radiator.
Signs that they are cold
- They shiver, though they are neither worried nor excited.
- They curl into a very tight ball and hide their nose.
- They look for sources of heat: radiator, duvet, your lap.
- They lift their paws when walking outside, or refuse to go out.
- Their ears and paws feel cold to the touch.
Indoors, a well-placed bed
Your dog spends most of their time in their bed. Its position matters as much as its comfort.
- Away from draughts. Avoid the bottom of a patio door, the entrance and the hallway. Run your hand along the floor: if you feel cold air, move the bed.
- Insulated from the floor. Tiles stay cold, even in a heated room. A thick foam bed forms a barrier between the dog and the floor.
- Near the heating, without being right up against it. Keep a good distance from radiators and stoves. Direct heat dries out the skin and can burn a dog that presses against it. Portable heaters must stay out of their reach.
- Edges to wedge against. Dogs that feel the cold like to curl up against an edge. A bed with raised sides keeps the warmth around them.
- A blanket to burrow in. Many dogs like to slip underneath. Put one in the bed, in a machine-washable fabric.
The shop's beds and cushions have a thick memory foam that insulates from the floor, and a corduroy or bouclé cover, fabrics that are soft and warm to the touch. To choose the best spot, our guide to where to put your dog's bed goes through the flat room by room.
In the evening, on the sofa, an alpaca and wool blanket keeps you both warm. It is dry-clean only: keep it for these shared moments, and reserve a washable blanket for the bed.
Outdoors, suitable outings
- Shorter, more frequent outings for dogs that feel the cold, rather than one long walk in the cold.
- A coat for short-haired, small or older dogs. It should cover the back and belly without restricting movement.
- Paws on your return. De-icing salt irritates the paw pads. Rinse them in lukewarm water and dry well between the toes.
- Drying completely. A wet dog chills quickly. Towel them dry when you come in, especially the belly.
- Movement. A dog that walks warms up; a dog that waits still gets cold. Save long pauses for mild days.
Adapting everyday life
In winter, many dogs move less. Make up for it with indoor games: hunting for hidden treats, snuffle mats, fillable toys. They occupy the mind without needing a long outing.
For an older dog, the cold often makes stiffness worse. A few minutes at a walk at the start of an outing help them get going. If the stiffness lasts, talk to your vet.
Keep an eye on their weight too. A dog that burns less energy but eats the same can put on weight in a few months. If you are unsure about their ration, ask your vet for advice.
When to see the vet
A dog that shivers hard and for a long time, seems low, has pale gums or has trouble walking after a trip out in the cold should be warmed up gently, in a blanket, then seen quickly by a vet.
If your dog is cold all the time, even when well warmed, mention it at the next visit. It can have a medical cause.
In short
- Small dogs, short coats, puppies and older dogs feel the cold most.
- Put the bed away from draughts, insulated from the floor, at a distance from the radiator.
- A bed with raised edges and a washable blanket keep the warmth around them.
- Outdoors: short outings, a coat if needed, paws rinsed and dried on your return.
- Heavy shivering, low mood or pale gums: go to the vet.