Vet Reveals How To Keep Your Dog Safe in the Cold and Snow

As large swaths of the U.S. wrap up warm in the face of biting cold weather and intense snowfall, don't forget that your furry friend may need some special support too. Regions across the Gulf Coast have seen record-breaking amounts of snow thos week, and temperatures have plunged across much of the Southeast, Northeast and Midwest. Jessie Miller, a veterinarian at Autumn Trails Veterinarian Center in Charlottesville and University of Virginia (UVA) alum, explained how to best keep your dog safe in frigid weather. "Snow can be an awesome experience for your pup, as long as you pay attention to how they are doing and take appropriate precautions," Miller told UVA Today.

Miller advises not letting your dog spend too much time playing in the snow, especially if they have shorter coats or are small and thin. "Just like humans, dogs can get cold in the cold weather. The duration that they can be outside varies depending upon several factors," Miller explained. "Coat length, body fat, their activity level while outside and their general health are some of the things to consider when playing outside. Short-coated dogs, dogs that are on the thinner side or dogs with underlying medical issues that make it harder for them to thermoregulate should probably spend less time outside when it's cold." If you're not sure exactly how long to let your dog play outside for in the cold, Miller advises asking your vet. Your dog may also try to eat snow, which would be harmless usually, but there is a chance that the snow may contain chemicals or other harmful substances. "It can be hard to determine if the snow is just snow. Chemicals put down to prevent icing can be in snow as well as parasites and other pathogens," Miller explained. "A bite of snow here and there is unlikely to cause significant health problems for most pups, but we have certainly had patients this winter who have presented with severe gastrointestinal upset after eating large quantities of snow." Chemicals and salt used to de-ice sidewalks may also irritate the feet of your furry friends, Miller said, suggesting getting your dog some booties to keep their feet safe and warm. "Significant amounts of salt/deicer can indeed cause irritation to your furry friend's feet. Chemicals, like antifreeze, can get on their paws when they walk outside and are toxic in small doses if ingested/licked," Miller said. "Dog booties can be a great solution to this issue—they come in lots of sizes and styles and will do a great job protecting your pup's feet." Some dogs might not love being put in booties, however, so wiping off their paws when they come inside and keeping their paw hair trimmed can help warm their feet back up when they get back indoors. "To remove ice, you can either gently brush the paws with a warm washcloth or soak the paws in lukewarm water. Afterward, make sure to dry their paws off," Miller said. "Some owners find it helpful to apply coconut oil or Snout Soother to their pet's paw pads to help keep them moisturized in the dry weather." If your dog is particularly thin or prone to getting cold outdoors, a jacket or sweater could be a good idea if you want to take them on an extended walk. "Jackets and sweaters are a great plan for dogs with short coats, low body fat or if they have medical conditions that restrict their movement," Miller said. "Although most dogs have fur coats, many of them benefit from some additional layers—especially in the extreme cold." In cold weather, dogs may often be nervous about peeing or pooping. Wearing a jacket or booties may help them feel more comfortable when doing their business, Miller said. "This is one of the most common issues we hear about in the clinic," Miller said. "Making sure they are warm with a coat and some booties may also help increase their comfort outside." All in all, as long as you keep an eye on your dog and how comfortable it seems to be during colder weather, they should be okay. "Letting your dog exercise when it's cold outside is typically a good chance to get them moving and provide enrichment, as long as you are aware of the environment and how well they may tolerate the colder weather," Miller said. Do you have a tip on a science story that Newsweek should be covering? Do you have a question about dogs? Let us know via science@newsweek.com.