Although dogs are better adapted than people to low temperatures due to their coat and body temperature, they can also be affected at times.
To find out if your dog is cold, you will be able to detect some signs and remedy them quickly.
Signs that your dog is cold
When temperatures drop, it is natural for your dog to be affected.
You may notice that in the winter, your dog will seek to snuggle up to you to protect himself from the cold.
That is, despite their fur, they can also feel the effects of weather changes and feel cold.
Symptoms that your dog is cold may include the following:
- Lowering of body temperature
- Chills and tremors
- Constant huddling
- Loss of interest in going outdoors
- Walking at a slower speed than usual
- Dry skin
- Frosty ears and nose
How to help you regulate your temperature
The first thing to keep in mind is to avoid risky situations such as exposure to adverse temperatures. It is also important to know that some breeds are more tolerant of the cold, such as the Siberian Husky or the Samoyed.
These breeds have more body fat and thicker coats to cope with extreme weather conditions.
But the smaller your dog is and the shorter its coat, the more strongly it can feel the cold. In fact, they may shiver to raise their body temperature and as a response to cold.
At home you can aim for a stable temperature, but without being too hot because the change when you go outside could be very abrupt.
For sleeping, you can prepare a warm, padded bed to insulate him from the cold and humidity.
On his bed you can place a blanket and you will see how he covers or curls up with it.
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Outings in the cold
Despite the low temperatures, the ideal is that your dog continues to exercise and for that it is essential to maintain daily walks.
Of course, as long as outdoor temperature conditions allow, your dog needs to go out, exercise and even socialize with other dogs.
You can avoid early morning or evening walks and look for times of the day when temperatures are higher.
Another recommendation is to take shorter walks than usual to avoid getting too cold.
In case you are unable to adapt the walking routines for whatever reason, it may be a good idea to provide some type of coat for your dog. Some breeds such as Chihuahuas and Greyhounds may wear a coat to help protect them from the cold.
If it should rain during your walk, you should dry your dog well when you return home.
Check the pads of their paws, because when they come into contact with the cold and humidity they could get hurt.
A good idea may be to apply protective creams specially formulated for this purpose.
The idea is always that you protect your dog’s well-being as much as possible and that he can continue to exercise despite the cold.
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