What temperature is too cold to walk a dog

Winter’s really starting to set in - the clocks have gone back, resulting in darker nights and we’ve all rushed to get the heating on. But once Jack Frost has made his appearance, you may start wondering whether it’s too cold to walk your dog. You might be all set with a coat, hat, gloves and scarf, however your dog is less protected from the elements than you are. Their fur helps to keep them warm to a degree, and you can always put them in a winter coat or woolly jumper to protect them from the cold even more. But at which temperature do you decide that it’s too cold to walk them? 

Should you walk your dog in winter? 

You absolutely should walk your dog in winter. Walking is an excellent source of exercise for your dog, but also a way for them to experience the wonderful smells of the world around them. They get to socialise with other dogs, have some bonding time with their owner and wear themselves out ready for a cosy night by the fire.  

However, before you take your dog out, you should take a look at what the weather’s doing before making a decision. If it’s a beautiful, crisp sunny day, for example, with very little breeze, a walk would be welcome. But if it’s looking a bit windy and stormy, you may decide that it’s best not to go. The walk should be enjoyable, and it’s likely that neither of you will enjoy it if it’s like this. You may also want to assess whether it’s safe to take your beloved pet out. Low fog or mist and hail can be dangerous, for example, so in these conditions it may be safer to skip the trip out. 

If you do decide to venture out in the rain or snow, be sure to take a route that’s well paved and well lit.  

Can dogs be walked in the cold? 

Dogs definitely can be walked in the cold, and you shouldn’t let the dropping temperatures be a reason to stop giving them their daily exercise. A walk is likely one of the highlights of your dog’s day (besides dinner time) so if they’re happy to go out in the cold, you should be happy to take them. 

There are some things that you may want to take into consideration before you leave the house, though.  

First, you should try to walk during the day - it will be much colder early in the morning and in the evening, so stick to mid-morning or early afternoon. Plus if salt has been put on the pavements and roads, it’s more likely to have been pushed off the surfaces by other people that have come and gone over the course of the day. Salt can cause irritation of the skin on the paw’s underside and can become painful for your dog.  

You should go prepared with a coat for your dog that is sized correctly, making it comfortable for them and easy to walk in. As already mentioned, you should stick to well-lit paths or routes that you and your dog know well. If they get anxious about the rain or cold weather, knowing where they are going could help them to feel a bit more at ease.  

Even with all these things in place, your dog may not be that keen to go out. Always be sure to listen to what your best friend is telling you. If they’re refusing to walk, shivering, standing in a hunched position or whining, then you should take them home.  

What temperature is too cold for a dog to walk outside? 

Now we’ve discussed certain weather conditions and how to prepare for a chilly walk. But how do you know when it’s time to skip walkies altogether? Use our table below to work it out! 

1 - Go for a walk! 

2 - Walk with care 

3 - Potentially unsafe 

4 - Dangerous 

5 - Potentially life-threatening

As you can see, small dogs are more vulnerable in the cold, whereas bigger dogs can withstand lower temperatures. Do keep this in mind when taking your furry friend for a walk, and avoid walking any dog when temperatures drop below -10℃, even if they’re wearing a coat. 

For puppies and older dogs, it’s better to exercise a little bit more caution, as they could be more vulnerable to the cold too. If you’re at all unsure, it’s probably best to keep them in.  

How long should you walk your dog in cold weather? 

Generally, it’s best to cut your walks short when it’s really cold outside. The longer your pup is outside, the lower their body temperature will go, so it’s best to give them a few shorter walks instead of giving them one long walk. 

For temperatures above -6℃, medium to large dogs can walk for around half an hour, whereas smaller dogs should be limited to around 20 minutes. However, do keep in mind that other factors can make it feel colder outside than it actually is. For instance, a strong wind can take a relatively mild day to a freezing cold one. Walking in the snow can be fun too, when it’s a lovely sunny day, but if you’re walking in wet sleet or through sludgy snow, your dog’s body temperature can drop quite quickly, even when they’re moving. You should stop your dog from eating snow, as this can bring their temperature down too. 

You should be able to walk your dog in winter, when it’s perfectly sunny or when it’s a little bit rainy. Just do take into account other weather factors and how long you’re outside for. 

Tim RobbertsGetty Images

Taking your dog for a daily walk is essential for their health and wellbeing, but it is important for dog owners to understand when it is too cold to take their pup out for a walk and how to best prepare them for cold temperatures.

Although your dog may look eager for some quality one-on-one time with their best friend (yes, that is you), it is important to look at the bigger picture.

Generally speaking, no dog should be taken out for a walk if the weather drops below -10°C, as they will be unable to withstand such cold temperatures. A good rule-of-thumb is that if it's uncomfortably cold for you as the owner, it's likely too cold for your dog, too.

Beyond that, more specific advice depends on the size of your dog.

According to data from the Tufts Animal Condition and Care (TACC) system, small and medium breed dogs will struggle to cope at -4°C and should be kept inside.

Once the temperature drops below zero degrees, small dogs should also be fitted with a sweater or coat to keep them warm. Additionally, their walks should also be limited to around 15 to 20 minutes to prevent them from getting too chilly. [Advice on larger dogs below gallery]

Meanwhile, larger dogs are able to withstand slightly colder temperatures and longer walks. Due to their thicker coat, larger dogs should be able to walk for half an hour at -6 degrees.

You should also consider the breed of your dog. Speaking to The Metro, Dave Leicester from Vets Now, said: "Just like humans, some pets, such as husky dogs, are more tolerant to cold weather than others. Make sure you do your homework on your breed.

"For example, Dobermans, chihuahuas and great Danes require a little extra protection in the cold. Short-nosed pets are also more at risk from extreme temperatures due to inherited breathing difficulties."

PDSA vet Lynne James has also said that dog owners should avoid taking their pets out for a walk when it is raining or snowing during the winter months.

She said: "Watch out for wet weather – getting wet will increase the risk of your dog getting chilled. If you spot your pet shivering or they seem to be struggling with the cold, bring them into the warmth straight away.

"If your dog gets wet, always dry them off with a towel as soon as you get home and make sure to check and rinse their paws – any build-up of salt, grit, dirt or snow can be painful."

Lynne has also encouraged dog owners to embark on shorter, more regular, walks this winter. She said: "As the temperatures drop, plan for shorter, more frequent walks rather than one long distance hike daily.

"Despite the cold weather, dogs still need daily walks to keep them happy and healthy – it’s important for their mental, as well as physical health. Most dogs will cope well and many may even enjoy the cold!

"But, avoid forcing your pet to go outside if they really don’t want to on those bitterly cold days – let them go to the loo in the garden, and play some indoor activities instead."

Following this guidance will help prevent your dog from damaging their paws and developing hypothermia from the cold.

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