Winter can be a challenging time for outdoor dogs. As temperatures drop, owners need to take extra steps to ensure their canine companions stay comfortable and healthy. By following some key tips, you can successfully keep your outdoor dog warm all winter long.
Provide Plenty of Bedding
One of the most important things you can do for an outdoor dog in winter is provide ample, thick bedding. The right bedding will act as insulation to retain your dog’s body heat.
Straw makes excellent bedding material. It’s readily available at farm supply stores, inexpensive, and easy to replace. Spread a deep layer at least 6 inches thick. Straw allows air circulation to prevent moisture build-up.
Cedar shavings also make good bedding. The aromatic cedar repels insects and other pests. Like straw, cedar shavings permit air flow.
Old blankets are another good insulator. Be sure any blankets are clean and dry. Damp bedding will make your dog cold.
Rugs give an outdoor dog something thick and soft to sleep on. Area rugs or old bath mats work well.
No matter what bedding you use, check it daily. Remove waste and flatten areas your dog has flattened with foot traffic. Regularly add fresh bedding to maintain a thick, fluffy layer.
Provide Shelter from Wind
Wind steals body heat, so sheltering your outdoor dog from wind is essential.
A well-built doghouse with a door flap provides insulation and blocks drafts. Face the entrance away from prevailing winds.
You can also create a windbreak using straw bales. Stack bales around your dog’s house to form a three-sided barrier.
Plastic shelters are inexpensive, easy to clean, and provide great wind protection. Look for heavy-duty, high-quality shelters designed specifically for dogs.
If your dog sleeps outside but spends his days with you, bring him inside whenever there are high winds. Even a few hours indoors gives his body a chance to regain lost heat.
Supply Plenty of Food
Outdoor dogs need more calories in winter just to sustain body heat. Feed an extra meal each day during cold months.
Choose energy dense foods to pack more calories into your dog’s diet. Puppy food has more fat and protein than adult formulas. You can also supplement with cooked chicken, beef or lamb fat mixed into your dog’s meals.
Always feed a high-quality commercial dog food. Avoid poor quality brands that can lack adequate nutrition. Check labels and select foods with animal-based proteins as the first ingredients.
Make sure fresh water is available at all times. Dehydration makes it harder for a dog to retain body heat. Use plastic buckets with heaters or check water frequently to prevent freezing.
Provide a Warm Place to Sleep
While some dogs tolerate winter weather outdoors, others benefit from having access to a warm indoor area. This could be a mudroom, basement, garage, or an enclosed porch.
If your dog sleeps outside, allow him inside the house during the day. Even spending a few hours in a warm environment gives his body a break from the cold.
You can also use a heated pet bed suited for outdoor use. Look for a weatherproof design with a chew-resistant cord. Use it inside your dog’s house or shelter for winter.
Increase Calorie Intake
When temperatures drop, outdoor dogs need more calories just to sustain body heat. Feeding one or two extra smaller meals daily provides the energy dense nutrition they need.
High fat dog foods like puppy formula contain more calories per cup than adult foods. You can also add cooked lean meat, broth, or fat like beef tallow to your dog’s meals.
Avoid lower quality dog foods based on mostly plant proteins. Look for a diet with high-quality animal proteins as the first ingredients. This provides complete nutrition needed for winter.
Check food and water dishes frequently to ensure fresh supplies. Dehydration forces the body to work harder regulating temperature.
Give Your Dog a Winter Wardrobe
While dogs grown cold-weather coats on their own, some breeds and individuals need extra help. Summer cuts, age, and medical conditions can all make a dog prone to feeling chilly.
Dog sweaters provide flexible, warm coverage. Choose breathable natural fibers like wool. Make sure to remove sweaters when wet.
For the most warmth, try a dog coat. Insulated and waterproof materials retain body heat best. Look for a coat with coverage from neck to belly.
Dog boots protect paws from salt, ice, and cold ground. Have your dog try them on indoors first. Carry extras to change out during long walks.
You can also make inexpensive coats from old sweaters or sweatshirts. Cut garments to fit then layer over your dog’s back and belly. Check for rubbing and change when wet.
Give Plenty of Fresh, Clean Water
Dehydration causes the body to struggle regulating temperature. Outdoor winter dogs need frequent access to fresh, unfrozen water.
Use plastic buckets rather than metal to prevent freezing. Place them out of the wind in a sheltered spot.
Submerging the bucket partially can keep a water heater from freezing. Use a heavy-duty fully submersible model.
Frequently check and refill water buckets. Break up any ice to allow drinking. Carry fresh water on walks to encourage intake.
Feeding wet food also provides extra hydration. Broths, canned food, and adding warm water all increase your dog’s water intake.
Brush Frequently
Letting your dog’s coat get matted and dirty reduces its insulating properties. Frequent brushing keeps the coat clean, tangle-free, and better able to retain heat.
Use a slicker brush to remove tangles without scraping the skin. For thick coats, choose a brush with widely spaced, long metal pins.
Undercoat rakes help remove loose fur from heavy shedding breeds. Always brush before raking to avoid painful pulls.
Set a schedule based on your dog’s coat type. Short-haired dogs may only need weekly brushing. Long or dense coats need daily attention.
Check for any signs of skin irritation caused by dampness or pests. Keep your dog pest-free and his skin healthy.
Bathe Only When Needed
Frequent bathing strips away protective skin oils. For outdoor dogs, bathing generally isn’t needed more than a few times a year.
Watch for visible dirt and regular grooming should keep your dog clean. Use a damp cloth for spot cleaning.
If a full bath is needed, use a gentle dog shampoo. Blow dry thoroughly or allow your dog to completely air dry before going outside.
Bathing too often can lead to dry, itchy skin. Supplement with omega fatty acid supplements to replenish skin oils.
Massage for Circulation
Massage improves circulation, helping warm blood flow freely to the extremities. Massage legs, paws, ears and any bald spots.
Use gentle rubbing and kneading motions. Start slowly and increase pressure gradually. Stop if your dog seems uncomfortable.
Massage for a few minutes whenever you brush your dog. Increase duration as your dog accepts the sensation.
You can also apply a warm compress to the neck, belly or groin area. Use a microwaveable heating pad or damp towel warmed for 20-30 seconds.
Improved circulation helps the skin better retain heat. It also speeds healing of any cracks, irritation or sores.
Check for Frostbite
Extreme cold can damage exposed skin tissues. Frostbite usually first affects ears, tail, and paws. Check these areas frequently.
Early signs include paleness, numbness and a cold feeling. The skin may be firm or stiff. As frostbite progresses, the area turns red, grey-white or bluish.
If you suspect frostbite, bring your dog indoors and place the area in warm – not hot – water. Don’t rub the skin. Bandage lightly and seek veterinary care.
Severe or recurring frostbite warrants evaluation for an underlying medical issue. Things like diabetes, Cushing’s disease, and thyroid problems can increase susceptibility.
Preventing frostbite starts with monitoring temperatures. Don’t leave susceptible dogs outside below 20° Fahrenheit.
Trim Paw Fur
Long fur on paws helps trap snow, ice and deicer chemicals leading to cold, irritated skin. Trim the hair between paw pads.
Use blunt trimmers made for dogs. Never use scissors, which can cut tender skin. Work carefully to avoid nicking paws.
Trim just long enough to neaten up paws. Removing too much increases cold sensitivity. Leave fur between toes slightly longer for protection.
Check trimmed paws whenever your dog comes inside. Wipe away any clinging ice balls or gritty residue tracked indoors.
Proper paw trims makes walks more comfortable. It also reduces the need for your dog to stop and bite at painful, ice-encrusted feet.
Use Protective Paw Products
Special waxes and ointments create a protective barrier between your dog’s paws and the elements. Apply before walks.
Musher’s secret is a beeswax-based product designed for sled dogs. It covers paws with a breathable, waterproof coating.
Dog paw balms contain waxes and oils to moisturize cracked paws. Look for vitamin E enriched formulas to heal skin.
Reapply products after returning from walks. Gently clean paws first to remove any irritating residue.
Avoid products containing salt or chemical ice melt, which can further dry out cracked skin. Seek veterinary advice if you see redness or sores.
Take More Frequent Potty Breaks
Holding urine and stools puts stress on the body. Outdoor winter dogs should be allowed to potty more often than usual.
Take your dog out every few hours during the day. Stay with them to ensure they urinate and defecate. Being busy pacing or playing in the snow can delay pottying.
Limit water intake after evening meals to help reduce overnight bathroom needs. However, always provide fresh drinking water first thing in the morning.
When temperatures drop far below freezing, skip lengthy walk-and-potty sessions. Take multiple short trips instead to avoid prolonged frigid exposure.
Signs of a bladder or kidney infection include straining, blood in urine, and frequent trips with little output. Seek prompt veterinary care if noted.
Use Warming Supplements
Certain supplements can help improve circulation and retain body heat from the inside out. Always check with your vet before starting any supplement.
Omega fatty acids improve skin health and coat insulation. Use fish, krill, or algae-based oils rich in EPA and DHA.
Coenzyme Q10 supports cardiovascular function. Typical dosage is 100 mg per 50 pounds body weight daily.
Vitamin E protects cell membranes from cold damage. Feed 400 IU daily for a large dog.
Glucosamine improves joint fluid circulation. Give 1000 mg per day to protect arthritic joints.
Monitor your dog’s energy levels when starting supplements. Discontinue use if you see any digestive upset.
Watch for Weight Loss
It takes extra energy for a dog to stay warm in winter. Monitor your dog’s weight and body condition score weekly.
You should be able to easily feel – but not see – your dog’s ribs. Check that your dog still has a “waist” behind the ribs when viewed from above.
If ribs become prominent or your dog loses muscle over the hips and back, increase food intake. Divide meals into smaller portions fed more frequently.
Weight loss despite a good appetite may signal an underlying health issue or the need for a more energy dense diet. Consult your vet if concerned.
Sudden weight loss requires prompt veterinary attention to identify the cause. Medications or other support may be needed.
Limit Time Outdoors
Extreme cold poses dangers to dogs just like people. Know your dog’s temperature limits and bring them indoors accordingly.
Short hair breed dogs like Greyhounds often become chilled below 45° F. Smaller dogs tend to tolerate cold even less well.
When temperatures drop much below freezing, limit bathroom breaks and walks. Take multiple short trips outdoors rather than one long outing.
Watch closely for signs of chilling like shivering, slowing down, seeking warmth, or lifting paws. At the first sign of cold, head indoors to warm up.
Even bundled in a coat, dogs should not remain outdoors for prolonged periods once the temperature drops below 20° F.
Provide Mental Stimulation
Physical exercise requirements decrease in winter for outdoor dogs. However, their need for mental stimulation remains unchanged.
Rotate through a variety of interactive toys to keep your dog engaged and thinking. Food puzzles and treat-release toys add fun.
Spend time training a new skill or trick each day. Learning keeps your dog’s mind challenged.
Take advantage of warmer days to play fetch, take walks, or work on outdoor training. Varied activities prevent boredom.
Mental exercise will help prevent problem behaviors that result from confinement and restricted activity. Indoor play provides important stimulation when weather limits outside time.
Watch for Anxiety
Some dogs develop signs of anxiety during winter months as their routines change. Watch for symptoms like whining, trembling, pacing, and destructive behavior.
Try calming supplements containing ingredients like melatonin, l-tryptophan, and chamomile. Follow label dosing under your vet’s guidance.
Use soothing techniques like providing a favorite chew toy, playing soft music, or turning on a fan or white noise machine to distract an anxious dog.
If anxiety persists, consult your vet. Medication or behavioral therapy may be needed to restore your dog’s winter well-being. Don’t allow ongoing stress.
Prevent separation anxiety by minimizing time left alone outdoors. Social isolation can be stressful for pack-oriented dogs.
Frequently Asked Questions
How cold is too cold for an outdoor dog?
Dogs begin feeling chilled when temperatures fall below 45-50°F. At freezing or below, outdoor time should be limited based on your dog’s tolerance. Short periods only for most dogs below 20°F.
What’s the best dog house for winter?
Look for an enclosed wooden dog house with a flat floor raised off the ground. Choose a size larger than your dog needs and with a door flap to block drafts. Face the opening away from winds. Insulate with straw.
Should I bathe my outdoor dog during winter?
Limit bathing in winter, as frequent shampooing dries their skin and coat. Spot clean as needed instead or bathe only if they get muddy. Rinse with warm water and dry thoroughly after a bath before going back outside.
How often should I feed an outdoor dog in winter?
Most outdoor dogs do best with at least one extra meal per day in cold months. Feed a high calorie puppy or performance formula food and supplement with fatty meats, broths or oils. Always keep fresh water available. Monitor weight weekly.
What’s the best bedding for an outdoor dog in winter?
Use straw, as it provides great insulation, retains warmth, and allows airflow to prevent dampness. Cedar shavings also deter pests while insulating. Place ample bedding over a raised platform in a dry, draft-free area.
Conclusion
Winter weather requires some adjustments to help outdoor dogs stay comfortable and safe. With a little planning, you can easily keep your furry companion cozy despite the cold.
Focus on providing warm, draft-free shelter and ample bedding. Feed more calories and increase water intake to meet energy demands. Limit time outdoors in extreme cold. Provide exercise through indoor play and training. Watch carefully for signs of discomfort or health issues.
A few simple changes goes a long way towards keeping your dog happy and healthy all winter long. Stay attentive to your dog’s needs, and you can both enjoy the season.