Dogs
You must have experienced a runny nose and cough during winter due to cold. This makes you wonder, can dogs get colds? The answer is 'yes', they do catch a cold, just like humans. Does this mean that dogs feel cold and shiver like us in winter? The answer is again a 'yes', they do feel cold.
At What Temperatures do Dogs Get a Cold?
Pet owners often tend to ask - 'when is it that dogs get cold?' This does not come as a surprising question to most vets as people are under the general notion that dogs tolerate cold better. They do have fur coats, but it is of no help during a bitter cold. So, what temperature makes a dog feel cold? If the temperature drops below 50C, small to medium-sized dogs begin to feel a cold nip. Larger dogs can however, be able to tolerate a temperature of about 40C. Remember the code - the temperature at which you begin to feel cold, your dog too is beginning to feel cold at the same time and point of mercury.
Do All Dogs Get Cold?
It is very important to have some information related to your dog breed. There are a few dogs who are made to tolerate winter and snow. These dogs are specially bred for cold climates. Their coat is able to repel water and insulate their body better. Dogs with a double coat will be able to stay warmer than dogs with a single coat, that is, without an undercoat. Also, young pups and older dogs also feel more of the cold nip in the air than those in the prime of their lives. If the outdoor temperature falls to 20C or less, you should not allow your dog to spend time outdoors.
Do Dogs Get a Cold at Night?
This is another question with a 'yes' as an answer. Dogs who are left to sleep in their outdoor dens, tend to suffer a miserable night. They feel cold and shiver all night long, when you sleep snugly in your warm bed. When you feel the temperature dropping, it will be a wise thing to bring your dog inside to sleep. You may wake up to find a happy dog with his tail wagging and greeting you outdoors. But, the faithful creature is just happy to see you and will not complain of the cold, 'shivery' night he spent outdoors.
Dogs Suited Best for Cold Weather
If you live in a place that is battered by severe cold each year, then you should probably adopt a dog suited for a cold climate. This will help prevent winter health problems affecting the dog who is not suited for a cold climate. The following is a list of dogs who fare better in winter than other breeds:
It is important to learn some facts that help you take good care of dogs in winter. Agreed, dogs have fur, but it is not enough to help them survive a bad cold. You should never leave your dog outdoors for long periods of time. Puppies and older dogs should not be allowed out as they cannot tolerate very cold temperatures. The dog shelter should be kept warm, dry and away from cold winter air drafts. Make sure you provide your dog with plenty of warm blankets and pillows to sleep on. You should avoid walking your dog on snow, slush, water, etc. This may lead to a foot injury. To prevent any kind of injury and snow getting stuck between the toes of your dog, make him wear dog booties. These dog booties will also help protect your dog from the cold ground below. If you do not have dog booties, make him wear a couple of a child's old mittens or socks.
Groom your dog regularly to keep his coat healthy. The long hair dogs tend to get their hair matted and dirty. This reduces the insulation factor of the thick, long coat. Thus, make sure you brush the coat regularly to keep the dog well insulated from cold. During winter, your dog will need 10% more food than it usually eats. The extra calorie intake helps to provide them with the extra energy to keep them warm. Also, provide the dog with fresh, clean water. Do not assume that the snow and ice will be a good substitute for water. You can even buy sweaters, caps and mittens made especially for dogs and make your pet wear these winter protection clothes. Not only do these clothes keep your dog warm, they also make them look really cute.
Thus, the above information shows us that our canine friends do feel cold. The answer to this is when you begin to feel the bitter nip of winter in the air. Take good care of your pet during such a time, especially if he is a small dog breed, has short hair and was not bred to survive cold temperatures.
- Why Some Dogs Need Winter Coats To Stay Warm
By Linda Cole My first dog, Jack, was an American Eskimo. He had a thick undercoat that kept him toasty warm through even the coldest winter blast. Most of my dogs have been large with warm coats, and I never thought much about winter coats for dogs...
- Fall Pet Care Tips For Dog Owners
By Suzanne Alicie As cooler weather moves in, there are certain things that responsible pet owners should take care of before winter hits. Autumn is the ideal time to do several basic pet maintenance tasks to ensure that your dog has a warm and comfortable...
- Winter Care For Pets
By Linda Cole October is quickly coming to a close, and for those in the northern part of the country, chilly winds are stripping red, orange and yellow leaves from trees and leaving only memories of a warm summer sun. The first freeze withers garden...
- Five Tips On Choosing A Good Dog Coat For Winter
The article below summarizes the key things to take point of when choosing dog coat during winter.A winter dog coat can vary in several attributes and can also depend on the type of dog. You obviously would not get a Siberian husky a winter dog...
- What To Do If Your Dog Gets A Cold
Dogs are more exposed to germs and microorganisms than human beings. So if you are wondering can dogs get colds, then the answer is yes they can and in fact cold is very common among dogs. Dogs may catch cold because of cold weather, wet conditions...
Dogs
When do Dogs Get Cold
You must have experienced a runny nose and cough during winter due to cold. This makes you wonder, can dogs get colds? The answer is 'yes', they do catch a cold, just like humans. Does this mean that dogs feel cold and shiver like us in winter? The answer is again a 'yes', they do feel cold.
At What Temperatures do Dogs Get a Cold?
Pet owners often tend to ask - 'when is it that dogs get cold?' This does not come as a surprising question to most vets as people are under the general notion that dogs tolerate cold better. They do have fur coats, but it is of no help during a bitter cold. So, what temperature makes a dog feel cold? If the temperature drops below 50C, small to medium-sized dogs begin to feel a cold nip. Larger dogs can however, be able to tolerate a temperature of about 40C. Remember the code - the temperature at which you begin to feel cold, your dog too is beginning to feel cold at the same time and point of mercury.
Do All Dogs Get Cold?
It is very important to have some information related to your dog breed. There are a few dogs who are made to tolerate winter and snow. These dogs are specially bred for cold climates. Their coat is able to repel water and insulate their body better. Dogs with a double coat will be able to stay warmer than dogs with a single coat, that is, without an undercoat. Also, young pups and older dogs also feel more of the cold nip in the air than those in the prime of their lives. If the outdoor temperature falls to 20C or less, you should not allow your dog to spend time outdoors.
Do Dogs Get a Cold at Night?
This is another question with a 'yes' as an answer. Dogs who are left to sleep in their outdoor dens, tend to suffer a miserable night. They feel cold and shiver all night long, when you sleep snugly in your warm bed. When you feel the temperature dropping, it will be a wise thing to bring your dog inside to sleep. You may wake up to find a happy dog with his tail wagging and greeting you outdoors. But, the faithful creature is just happy to see you and will not complain of the cold, 'shivery' night he spent outdoors.
Dogs Suited Best for Cold Weather
If you live in a place that is battered by severe cold each year, then you should probably adopt a dog suited for a cold climate. This will help prevent winter health problems affecting the dog who is not suited for a cold climate. The following is a list of dogs who fare better in winter than other breeds:
- Akita Inu
- Alaskan Malamute
- Bernese Mountain Dog
- Great Pyrenees
- Samoyed
- Siberian Husky
- Tibetan Mastiff
- Chow Chow
- Chesapeake Bay Retriever
- Bouvier des Flandres
- Bearded Collie
- Black Russian Terrier
- Old English Sheepdog
- Greater Swiss Mountain Dog
- Shiba Inu
- American Eskimo Dog
It is important to learn some facts that help you take good care of dogs in winter. Agreed, dogs have fur, but it is not enough to help them survive a bad cold. You should never leave your dog outdoors for long periods of time. Puppies and older dogs should not be allowed out as they cannot tolerate very cold temperatures. The dog shelter should be kept warm, dry and away from cold winter air drafts. Make sure you provide your dog with plenty of warm blankets and pillows to sleep on. You should avoid walking your dog on snow, slush, water, etc. This may lead to a foot injury. To prevent any kind of injury and snow getting stuck between the toes of your dog, make him wear dog booties. These dog booties will also help protect your dog from the cold ground below. If you do not have dog booties, make him wear a couple of a child's old mittens or socks.
Groom your dog regularly to keep his coat healthy. The long hair dogs tend to get their hair matted and dirty. This reduces the insulation factor of the thick, long coat. Thus, make sure you brush the coat regularly to keep the dog well insulated from cold. During winter, your dog will need 10% more food than it usually eats. The extra calorie intake helps to provide them with the extra energy to keep them warm. Also, provide the dog with fresh, clean water. Do not assume that the snow and ice will be a good substitute for water. You can even buy sweaters, caps and mittens made especially for dogs and make your pet wear these winter protection clothes. Not only do these clothes keep your dog warm, they also make them look really cute.
Thus, the above information shows us that our canine friends do feel cold. The answer to this is when you begin to feel the bitter nip of winter in the air. Take good care of your pet during such a time, especially if he is a small dog breed, has short hair and was not bred to survive cold temperatures.
- Why Some Dogs Need Winter Coats To Stay Warm
By Linda Cole My first dog, Jack, was an American Eskimo. He had a thick undercoat that kept him toasty warm through even the coldest winter blast. Most of my dogs have been large with warm coats, and I never thought much about winter coats for dogs...
- Fall Pet Care Tips For Dog Owners
By Suzanne Alicie As cooler weather moves in, there are certain things that responsible pet owners should take care of before winter hits. Autumn is the ideal time to do several basic pet maintenance tasks to ensure that your dog has a warm and comfortable...
- Winter Care For Pets
By Linda Cole October is quickly coming to a close, and for those in the northern part of the country, chilly winds are stripping red, orange and yellow leaves from trees and leaving only memories of a warm summer sun. The first freeze withers garden...
- Five Tips On Choosing A Good Dog Coat For Winter
The article below summarizes the key things to take point of when choosing dog coat during winter.A winter dog coat can vary in several attributes and can also depend on the type of dog. You obviously would not get a Siberian husky a winter dog...
- What To Do If Your Dog Gets A Cold
Dogs are more exposed to germs and microorganisms than human beings. So if you are wondering can dogs get colds, then the answer is yes they can and in fact cold is very common among dogs. Dogs may catch cold because of cold weather, wet conditions...