Cold weather can be hazardous for pets, and if you have an outdoor dog, you need to take special precautions to keep him safe through the winter. Prepare a warm outdoor shelter for your dog before winter weather hits, and take other necessary steps to prevent him from becoming dangerously chilled as the temperature drops.
Preparing for Winter
Make sure your dog has adequate shelter if he will be outside in cold weather. Set up a sturdy doghouse with a slanted roof. Make sure it is insulated and elevated off the ground slightly to allow circulation, recommends the Michigan Humane Society. Make sure the house is big enough for the dog to turn around in and be comfortable in all positions, but do not use a house that is too big for your dog because it will not stay as warm. Make sure the door faces southeast and has a flap to protect your dog from wind. Use dry straw for bedding instead of fabric, which can get wet and freeze, and change it as needed.
Avoid shaving your dog's hair short just before winter. If your dog naturally has short hair, consider purchasing a dog sweater that he can wear when the weather is particularly cold, as recommended by the American Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (ASPCA). Make any necessary adjustments to your home so you will be able to bring your dog inside in extreme cold.
Precautions in Cold Weather
Bring short-haired dogs inside when the temperature drops to around 15 to 20 degrees, according to the Michigan Humane Society. Large or thick-haired dogs should be brought indoors when the temperature falls to zero. If your dog is normally kept outside, the Michigan Humane Society recommends letting him stay in a cooler area, such as an enclosed porch, for 12 to 24 hours before introducing him to the warmth of your home to give him time to adjust. Be sure to offer you dog extra food and water during the winter (10 to 20 percent more), and frequently check water bowls to make sure the water is not frozen.
Do not let your dog off a leash if you go for a walk in snow or ice; he could have a harder time finding a scent and getting back to you. Be sure your dog wears identification tags in case he does get lost. Do not leave your dog alone in a car, which could hold in cold air and drop his temperature to dangerous levels. Wash your dog's feet and stomach when he comes in after being outdoors in snow or ice. Salt, antifreeze and other dangerous substances commonly used in winter could stick to his paws and enter his mouth if he licks the area. Paws can also become irritated from snow and ice exposure, and washing them can help.
Problem Signs
Bring your dog inside if he seems to be shivering, curling up in a ball or attempting to dig a bed in the snow. Bring your dog inside and contact a veterinarian immediately if he feels very cold or if his paws, ears or tip of his tail turn bright red, which may signal frostbite.
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