How Cold Is Too Cold for Dogs? Signs, Limits and Winter Care

This guide is for dog owners in cold places deciding how long walks should be and whether their dog can stay outside.

A husky and a short-haired toy breed don’t handle cold the same way, so there’s no single number that works for every dog. What matters is your dog, the weather and how long you’re out.

The quick answer

The American Veterinary Medical Association (AVMA) doesn’t give one cutoff temperature. It does say no pet should be left outside for long periods in below-freezing weather.¹ Beyond that, each dog is different.

Our advice: in freezing weather, keep walks shorter, keep moving and watch your dog more closely than the thermometer.

Dogs that need extra care

Our advice: be more careful with dogs that have short or thin coats, short legs that keep their bellies close to the snow, small dogs, puppies, older dogs and dogs with health problems. A dog coat can help them on longer walks, and your veterinarian can tell you what’s reasonable for your dog.

Warning signs of hypothermia

The AVMA lists signs such as whining, shivering, seeming anxious, slowing down or stopping, weakness, or looking for warm places to burrow.¹ If you see them, get your dog inside quickly.¹ Our advice: call your veterinarian if the signs don’t ease once your dog is warm.

Frostbite is harder to spot. The AVMA says it may not be recognized until a few days after the damage is done.¹

Protect the paws

• Check the pads. The AVMA says to look for cracked or bleeding paw pads, and notes that sudden lameness can be caused by ice between the toes.¹
• Wipe after walks. The AVMA advises wiping your dog’s feet, legs and belly after a walk, and keeping pets away from de-icers.¹ Cornell recommends wiping or washing paws after walks and checking for snowballs between the toes.²
• Consider boots. Cornell suggests training your dog to wear well-fitting booties.² See our dog boots guide.

Other winter hazards

• Antifreeze. The AVMA warns that even small amounts can be deadly; clean up spills quickly.¹
• Cars. The AVMA says a cold car can act like a refrigerator, so don’t leave pets alone in the vehicle.¹
• Outdoor cats. The AVMA suggests banging on the hood or honking before you start the engine, in case a cat is sheltering under it.¹

Winter walk checklist

• Shorter walks in freezing weather.
• Watch for shivering, slowing down or lifting paws.
• Wipe paws, legs and belly afterward.
• Clean up antifreeze spills and keep containers closed.