
Are dogs cold? This is, Undoubtedly, one of the most frequent questions asked by dog owners when winter comes, and if they already have the layer of hair that protects them from low temperatures, why do they tremble when they are on the street? If you are also looking for an answer to this and more questions related to cold and dogs, you have arrived at the right place!
In this article of Animals and Pets Online we will help you identify the symptoms of cold in dogs, consequences that can cause them and how to protect them to avoid them.Read on and find out if your dog is cold to help.
How to know if my dog is cold
The first thing to clarify is that, like us, dogs feel cold and hot , regardless of the breed and the type of hair they have.The latter factors will be determine the degree of cold or heat that the animal can support.In this way, dogs have a layer of hair and fat on the skin that act as natural thermal protectors.This layer of hair makes two changes a year, one in spring and another in autumn, to prepare your body to change the temperature and adapt it.However, in many cases this layer of hair can become insufficient during winter and, therefore, allow the cold to penetrate our dog.
There are a series of races adapted to cold climates that are capable of generating more or less amount of sub-hair during the molt to better protect themselves from low temperatures, so they will hardly require our help to withstand them.Some examples are the alaskan malamute , the Siberian husky or the San Bernardo.On the other hand, there are others who are not so lucky and their nature does not offer them this possibility, so we must be vigilant to prevent our dog from going cold.Canes like the Chihuahua, the French bulldog , the yorkshire or the Chinese crested are usually the most vulnerable to falling temperatures.This is because they are breeds that have very short hair, barely shed their fur or do not have hair directly.On the other hand, puppies and older dogs are also more likely to suffer cold more easily.If we have a partner who meets these characteristics, it will be easy to know if he needs to be protected from winter, but if we are not so clear, how do we know if our dog Is it cold?
To answer this question, ask yourself the following question: How does your body react to the cold? With tremors! The body of the dog is no exception and, therefore, the tremors are the main symptom of the cold.So much if it is inside the house as if it is in the street, if your dog starts to shiver More likely, it is because he feels he is cold, but this is not the only sign that can alert us to this, and there are other cold symptoms in dogs that we will have to pay attention to:
- Breathing and slow movements .If you notice that you can breathe more slowly than normal or even that you have difficulty doing so, you may be cold and cold because of this.Also, this sign can be added a slowed mobility due to a stiff muscle caused by low temperatures.
- Increased desire to sleep .Is the dog more tired? Does he sleep more than usual? If so, it can be a consequence of the cold and you will have to put measures to help you withstand it.Also, observe your posture when sleeping.If you twist as if you wanted to cover yourself with your own body, you absolutely need to cover yourself with a blanket or clothes coat.
- Dry skin .Especially hairless dogs can get dry skin if they feel very cold, a fact that you will have to try immediately to restore vitality to your skin and keep it in perfect condition.
If you notice that your dog has stiffness in a specific part of his body, you should massage the area very carefully to offer your warmth and try to relieve the symptoms.If after a few minutes you do not notice improvement, you will have to take it to the vet immediately.

Consequences of cold in dogs
Now that you know the symptoms of cold in dogs, you should know that not acting to relieve them can trigger the occurrence of respiratory problems and pathologies of a serious nature.Here we show you the most common:
- Cooling
- Bronchitis
- Laryngitis
- Pharyngitis
- Pulmonary
Although these are the most common diseases in dogs during winter, they are not the only ones, so protecting them from the cold is a mandatory task for the owners if we want to ensure their well-being and maintain their health.If you suspect that your dog may suffer from any of these pathologies, do not hesitate and go to the veterinarian as soon as possible.Especially pneumonia can only be treated with antibiotics that a specialist should prescribe, so that acts fast and offers the best care for your dog.

How to protect my dog from the cold
The first thing you should check to protect your dog from the cold is its sleeping space .If your dog usually sleeps in the garden or another outside area, from Animals and Pets Online we recommend that think about it and move your bed inside the home so you can feel the heat and not get sick.Also, if you live in a place where temperatures drop in an excessive way, provide a blanket so that the if it is cold, it will be mandatory.In addition to these measures, you will have to consider the possibility of acquiring warm clothes for your dog and putting it on before going for a walk.Remember that, just as you cover yourself with layers of clothes to go out the street and avoid going cold, your furry companion also needs an extra layer if it meets the aforementioned characteristics (short fur or absence of hair).Within the wide variety of clothes for dogs, the jerseis and coats stand out as the most practic as comfortable and effective:
- Dog sweaters
They are usually knitted and cover the neck and trunk area of the dog to help you fight the cold.Being slightly thinner than the coats, they are more recommended for the autumn season and the beginning of winter.Keep in mind that overprotecting the animal from the cold can generate the opposite effect and cause the appearance of hot flashes by heat , so do not opt for a coat until temperatures do not reach their lowest point.Also, there are jerseys that have a fleece for those most vulnerable dogs.When selecting the most suitable for your dog, you will have to look at the variety of sizes and choose the one that meets the dorsal length of your dog.
- Dog coats
As we mentioned, the coats are usually made of materials that are more resistant to cold and, therefore, protect our dog more.In this way, we recommend We love to choose this garment of warm clothes for dogs when winter has already invaded us.Here we have more possibilities, and there are coats that only cover the trunk area of the animal and others that include a large part of the legs and neck.You will have to opt for one or the other depending on the needs of your dog, and if you notice that it feels very cold when you take it for a walk and even has a hard time walking, you should get a full coat.
Since dogs have a coat of winter hair and a summer coat, do not make use of clothes for dogs outside the cold season.Although it may seem that you are really beautiful with the garment on, you should think about their comfort and well-being.

Also...
If you have noticed late that your dog was cold and has clear symptoms of dry skin, you will have to get a moisturizing shampoo for dogs in order to combat dryness and restore vitality to your skin.Remember that, as the owner, you have a series of responsibilities that you must fulfill if you want to have a healthy, cheerful and happy dog by your side.Offer all your love and the best care for protect it from the cold and keep it cool in summer.

If you want to read more articles similar to My dog is cold-How to protect it , we recommend that you enter our Basic Care section.
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