By Dr Duncan Houston
A dog who normally loves walking may start lifting their paws, hanging back or shivering in winter. Those changes deserve attention, even when the weather does not feel especially cold to you.
Safe winter care depends on your dog's coat, age, health and response to the conditions. It also means recognising hazards that warmth alone cannot prevent, including slippery paths, road salt and antifreeze.
Quick Answer
Keep your dog safe in winter by adjusting outdoor time to their individual tolerance, keeping them dry, cleaning their paws and preventing access to winter chemicals. There is no single outdoor temperature or walk duration that is safe for every dog. Return indoors if your dog shows discomfort; suspected antifreeze ingestion, collapse, confusion or signs of frostbite require immediate veterinary help.
1. Match warmth and outdoor time to your dog
Small dogs, puppies, older dogs and dogs who are thin or unwell need closer supervision in cold conditions. Greyhounds and whippets often benefit from extra warmth because of their lean build and short coats. Ask your vet about a winter plan if your dog has a condition that affects mobility or their ability to cope with cold.
A healthy adult husky with a dense coat may be comfortable in conditions that trouble a short-haired dog. That does not make them immune to cold injury, and a wet coat changes the situation. VCA's cold-weather advice explains how coat type, wet weather and behaviour affect protection needs.
Check wind, rain, ground conditions and how easily you can get home, as well as the forecast temperature. Start with a shorter outing when conditions change. Shivering, repeated paw lifting or trying to turn home means stop and reassess, rather than finish the usual route.
If your dog needs a coat, it should allow normal movement and toileting without rubbing. Remove wet clothing when you return. Keep dogs indoors between outings, and do not leave them waiting in a cold car.
2. Check and clean paws after winter walks
Ice balls between the toes can hurt, and grit can irritate the skin. After a walk, inspect the pads, nails and spaces between the toes. Use lukewarm water to remove snow and residue, then dry gently. Let trapped snow soften instead of pulling it from the fur.
Well-fitting boots can help a dog who tolerates them, but check for rubbing and trapped moisture. Avoid cutting close to the skin between moving toes; ask a groomer or vet for help if foot hair repeatedly collects ice.
De-icing salts are also an ingestion risk. Depending on the ingredient, amount and dog's size, swallowing them can cause stomach upset or more serious problems such as high blood sodium, tremors or seizures. A label saying pet-friendly does not mean edible. Keep dogs away from treated slush and prevent paw licking until residue is removed. ASPCA's ice-melt guidance explains these differences.
3. Treat possible antifreeze ingestion as urgent
Many antifreeze products contain ethylene glycol, which is converted into substances that can severely damage the kidneys. Early signs can include vomiting, increased thirst and a drunken or unsteady walk. A dog can temporarily appear better while poisoning continues.
If your dog may have swallowed antifreeze, contact an emergency vet immediately, even if they look normal. Early treatment matters; do not wait for a symptom checklist. The MSD Veterinary Manual's ethylene glycol review explains the progression and need for prompt treatment.
Secure containers, deal with vehicle leaks and clean spills thoroughly while keeping dogs away. Do not assume a bittering agent makes a product safe. Keep dogs from drinking garage or roadside puddles.
4. Keep exercise steady and protect sore joints
Choose routes with reliable footing and avoid fast turns, ball chasing or jumping on ice. For a dog with arthritis, shorter comfortable walks and a consistent routine are more useful than alternating inactivity with a strenuous outing.
Difficulty rising, lagging behind and reluctance to use steps can indicate pain. Arrange a review if your dog's mobility is deteriorating, rather than simply accepting it as winter stiffness. Cornell's canine osteoarthritis guidance supports weight management, appropriate low-impact activity and non-slip surfaces as parts of care.
Keep your dog on a lead near frozen water and do not let them onto ice. If a dog falls through, call the local emergency rescue service and stay off the ice yourself. PDSA's winter precautions cover frozen ponds, slippery surfaces and safer walking.
5. Care for skin without assuming every itch is dryness
Keep the coat brushed and free of mats, and dry your dog after wet outings. Avoid unnecessary frequent bathing during cold spells, but continue any bathing schedule your vet has prescribed. The ASPCA's winter skin and paw advice highlights gentle grooming, drying and checking for irritation.
Persistent scratching, hair loss, a strong skin smell or repeated paw chewing needs a veterinary assessment. Parasites, allergies and bacterial or yeast infections can look like a seasonal skin problem. The MSD Veterinary Manual's guide to itching in dogs explains why identifying the cause matters.
6. Make indoor warmth safe
Provide dry, padded bedding away from draughts, with an easy route to water and the toilet area. Block access to open fires, hot heaters and trailing electrical cables. A dog with poor mobility needs somewhere warm they can reach without negotiating slippery floors.
During severe weather, plan for power cuts and disrupted travel. Keep your dog's usual food, drinking water, prescribed medicines and emergency clinic details accessible.
7. Replace missed activity with a comfortable routine
When outdoor conditions are unsafe, keep toilet trips brief and supervised. Add short indoor training sessions, gentle play and simple scent searches. Introduce one new game at a time and let your dog disengage when they need rest. The RSPCA's winter welfare guidance supports indoor enrichment alongside warmth, exercise and a suitable diet.
Do not automatically increase meals because it is winter. A dog spending more time resting indoors may need fewer calories, while a working dog exercising outdoors may have different needs. Review body condition and feeding with your vet. Keep fresh water available; snow is not a substitute.
How worried should you be after a winter outing?
| What you notice | What it may mean | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Brief discomfort outdoors, then normal movement and behaviour indoors | The outing exceeded your dog's comfort, or something irritated their paws | Inspect paws and shorten the next outing. Watch for symptoms returning. |
| Limping, cracked pads or ongoing paw chewing | A paw injury, irritation or joint pain needs assessment | Stop exercise and contact your vet today. Severe pain or inability to bear weight needs urgent attention. |
| Shivering that continues indoors, unusual sleepiness, confusion, weakness or collapse | Possible hypothermia or another serious illness | Call an emergency vet immediately and begin gentle warming while arranging transport. |
| Pale, grey or blue skin on ears, paws or tail, or blistering after cold exposure | Possible frostbite | Seek veterinary care immediately. Do not rub the area or apply direct heat. |
| Possible antifreeze ingestion or swallowing de-icer | A toxin exposure that needs an individual risk assessment | Call immediately with the container or a photo of its label. Do not wait for illness. |
Could the problem be something other than cold?
A dog lifting one foot may have ice trapped between the pads, a cut or a damaged nail. Persistent lameness can reflect an injury or painful joint disease. Shaking is also a response to pain or fear, so continuing to shake in a warm room should not be dismissed.
A vet will consider the exposure history alongside body temperature, alertness, circulation, paw injuries and joint pain. Suspected poisoning may require blood and urine tests. Tell the clinic about any puddles, chemicals, falls or time spent wet, even if you did not see your dog swallow anything.
When is winter exposure an emergency?
Go for emergency veterinary care for suspected hypothermia, frostbite, antifreeze ingestion, breathing difficulty, seizures or collapse. Hypothermia means the body's temperature has dropped dangerously low. A severely cold dog may stop shivering, so quietness after shaking is not proof of recovery. PDSA's hypothermia guidance describes the warning signs and first aid.
- Move your dog into a warm, dry place. Remove wet clothing, gently dry them and place blankets underneath and over them.
- Warm gradually during transport. Avoid hot baths, direct contact with hot water bottles, heating pads and hairdryers.
- For suspected frostbite, do not rub or massage the tissue. Do not thaw an area outdoors if it could freeze again.
- For poisoning, do not induce vomiting or give alcohol, salt, human medicines or other home remedies. Follow the emergency vet's instructions.
Frostbite damage can become visible over the following days. Early assessment is still needed; do not wait for skin to turn black. VCA's frostbite advice explains delayed signs and the dangers of rubbing, direct heat and refreezing.
Your practical winter action plan
- Before leaving: check the route and conditions, your dog's movement and whether their coat is dry. Choose an outing with an easy return.
- During the walk: watch pace, posture and paws. Head indoors at the first sign of discomfort.
- On returning: clean and dry paws and check for injury. Confirm your dog is alert, moving comfortably and settling normally.
- If something is wrong: use the urgency table. Record what happened, when it started and any possible exposure; do not let recording details delay urgent care.
Common winter safety mistakes
- Using a temperature chart as permission to continue despite your dog's discomfort.
- Assuming a thick coat protects paws or prevents poisoning.
- Leaving a wet dog in a cold car after exercise.
- Calling every limp arthritis or every itch dry skin.
- Giving human painkillers or waiting for symptoms after possible antifreeze ingestion.
Frequently asked questions
How cold is too cold to walk a dog?
There is no universal cutoff. Consider coat, size, age, health, wind, wetness and the length of exposure. Shorten or cancel the walk when conditions or your dog's response make it unsafe.
Does every dog need a winter coat?
No. Short-coated, lean or cold-sensitive dogs may benefit; some healthy dogs with dense coats do not need one. Fit and comfort matter, and clothing does not justify longer exposure.
Is pet-friendly ice melt safe if my dog licks it?
It can still cause illness. Clean residue from paws and contact your vet or an animal poison service if your dog has swallowed it, providing the product label.
Should I feed my dog more in winter?
Only if their energy needs justify it. Match feeding to activity and body condition, and ask your vet about dogs who work outdoors or have medical needs.
Will a cold dog recover once they warm up?
Brief discomfort may settle indoors, but suspected hypothermia or frostbite still needs veterinary assessment. Outcome depends on the severity of exposure and injury, and prompt care matters.
Let your dog's response guide the routine
The best winter plan is one you can adjust: suitable outdoor time, clean paws, steady activity and a warm place to rest. If your dog becomes unwell or a toxin exposure is possible, act on that concern immediately.
For more practical information to support everyday decisions about your dog's care, visit ASK A VET™. Keep your own vet involved when symptoms or changing needs call for an individual assessment.
The ASK A VET™ Tracker logs live location and activity trends, so a change in routine never goes unnoticed.
Every ASK A VET article is written and reviewed by qualified veterinarians.
