Cold Weather Safety

Cold weather can be dangerous for pets in ways that aren't always obvious. While a thick-coated Husky might love a snowy romp, most companion animals face real risks once temperatures drop: hypothermia, frostbite, chemical exposure, and hidden hazards like antifreeze or warm car engines. Knowing what to watch for and how to prepare makes all the difference.

What cold does to a pet's body

Hypothermia sets in when a pet loses heat faster than they can produce it. In dogs and cats, mild hypothermia begins when rectal temperature drops to roughly 32–37°C, moderate at 28–32°C, and severe below 28°C. For cats specifically, a body temperature of 35°C or lower is considered hypothermic. A pet who is shivering, huddling tightly, or pressing against you is already signalling that they are too cold. As hypothermia progresses, signs become more serious: slow or irregular breathing, muscle stiffness, cold pale gums, weakness, and eventually collapse.

Frostbite is freezing damage to skin and the tissue beneath it. When a pet gets cold, the body pulls blood away from the extremities (ears, tail, nose, paws) to protect vital organs. Those areas can then freeze, and the damage isn't always visible right away. Early frostbitten skin looks pale, grey, and feels cold and stiff. Over the following days, it may swell, blister, become intensely painful, and turn black as the tissue dies. The AAHA notes that short-haired dogs and cats can develop frostbite after as little as 30 minutes at or below 0°C.

Hidden winter dangers

Cold air isn't the only threat. Road salt and chemical de-icers irritate paw pads. If a pet licks them off their fur or feet, the chemicals can cause mouth irritation, vomiting, diarrhoea, or dangerous electrolyte shifts. Antifreeze and similar products containing ethylene glycol are far worse: even a tiny amount can cause fatal kidney damage in cats. Outdoor cats looking for warmth often climb into wheel wells or curl up near car engines, creating a risk of serious injury if the vehicle is started without checking first. Ice or heavy snow can also freeze a cat flap shut, locking an outdoor cat outside.

What to do and what to avoid

If you suspect frostbite or hypothermia, bring your pet indoors right away. Gently warm the affected areas with warm (not hot) towels or warm water. Never use direct high heat like a hair dryer or radiator, and never rub frostbitten skin: both can make the damage worse. Then get to a vet.

For everyday winter walks, keep outings shorter when it's very cold. The AVMA recommends wiping or rinsing paws, legs, and the belly with lukewarm water after coming back inside to remove salt and ice. Protective coats make sense for small dogs, breeds without undercoats, and elderly or sick animals. Footwear like boots or socks, however, is generally not needed and can restrict natural movement unless a vet recommends it for a specific medical reason.

The fur coat myth

It's a common belief that pets are naturally protected from the cold because of their fur. This isn't true. Dogs and cats can get frostbite and hypothermia in conditions similar to those that affect humans. Cold tolerance varies by breed (a Siberian Husky handles it far better than a Chihuahua), but no pet is immune. Similarly, frostbite damage doesn't always show up right away: tissue death and discolouration can take days to become fully apparent, so a pet who seems fine after a cold outing still needs watching.

If you're cold enough to want a coat, chances are your pet feels it too. Keeping them warm, dry, and away from winter chemicals is the simplest way to get through the cold months safely.