I have written columns on heat stroke in dogs, but this one is about dogs getting hypothermia, a decrease in body temperature from a cold environment.
Here in Santa Barbara, we sometimes forget how cold it gets, especially at night. In the winter, from December until February, temperatures range from the 40s to the mid-60s.
Dogs should be kept inside during wintry weather.
It is a misconception that dogs are less vulnerable than people to cold weather. Breeds with thick double coats — such as Siberian huskies and Noozhawk publisher Bill Macfadyen’s favorite breed, Alaskan malamutes (Hi, Sadie!) — are two of a group of dogs that have an undercoat that is oily, wooly and can be up to two inches thick.
They have outer coats that are coarse, somewhat waterproof and stands off their bodies, helping water run off their coats.
Other breeds with double coats include Pomeranians, Chow Chows, Golden retrievers, Australian shepherds and Corgis.
So these breeds wear a “winter coat.” All doubled-coated dogs are more tolerant of cold weather than are the short-haired dogs.
Just like us, a dog’s tolerance to cold is affected by age, health, weight (body fat stores) and fitness (activity level).
Short-haired pets feel the cold faster because they have less protection. Short-legged pets may become cold faster because their bellies and bodies are more likely to contact wet ground or snow if you take your pal to the mountains.
Dogs with chronic diseases have trouble regulating their body temperatures. Some of these medical problems include immune mediated diseases, hormonal imbalances (such as Cushing’s disease), diabetes, cardiac disease and kidney disease.
Puppies and kittens cannot regulate their body temperatures well nor can geriatric dogs. Geriatric dogs also may have their arthritis aggravated by the cold.
If your pal is troubled by cold weather, it is a good idea to get it a doggy coat or sweater. Be sure it fits well, not too tight and take it off when inside.
A doghouse or sheltered area should always be available for your pal but especially in the winter months.
In the winter, some people use space heaters. Dogs and space heaters can be a problem. Your pal is not used to a space heater and may get burned when sniffing it, bumping into it, or knocking it over and that could potentially cause a fire.
If you take your dog up to the snow, keep it within eyesight as snow and ice can cover up your familiar scent. Your pal could become disoriented and become lost in the snow.
Be sure your dog has an ID on its collar or harness and is microchipped. A GPS on its collar or harness always helps you locate your pal when it is out of eyesight.
If your pal is spending the day in the snow, check its paws for signs of cold-weather injury or damage, such as cracked or bleeding paw pads. If your dog suddenly begins to limp, check for ice stuck between the toes.
If you are spending a vacation in the snow with your long-haired dog, clipping the hair between its toes before your vacation will reduce the risk of these “ice balls” forming between them.
Dog winter booties also work well, keeping your pal’s feet warm and dry. Be sure your pal does not pull them off and turn them into an unhealthy snack.
Also be aware that dogs take a little time to get used to wearing booties and may walk like a Tennessee walking horse for a while.
If your pal starts shivering, whining, becomes lethargic, doesn’t want to play and/or appears anxious, bring him inside as these are signs of hypothermia.
Frostbite may not be detectable until few days after the damage is done. If you suspect your pal has hypothermia or frostbite, consult a veterinarian immediately.
We Santa Barbarans think we’re in the tundra at a temperature of 40 degrees but, hopefully, now we and our pals are winter ready.
Frisbee on the beach and flip-flops are a long way from foot ice balls and doggy winter booties!