How cold is too cold for dog walks?

When considering walking your dog in cold weather, there’s a pretty simple rule to live by – if it's too cold for you, it's too cold for your dog.

But, like humans, every dog is different. While some dogs seem to be made for snow and wet weather, others struggle in even the slightest of chills – so, when is it too cold to walk your dog? 

Thankfully, the vet experts at Joii have given us some guidelines to help you decide if you should brave the elements or stay in the warmth with your dog.

What’s a safe temperature for walking your dog in winter?  

Here’s some guidance to help you judge the safest temperature to walk your dog in the UK’s winter months, factoring in their breed, age, coat type, and additional weather conditions:  

At around 5°C – “Cold averse” dogs may start to struggle. 

The term “cold averse” describes being extremely sensitive to the cold. For example, dogs who are cold averse could be particularly small, have a thin coat, or spend most of their life snuggled up in a blanket. If your dog shows any signs of being cold averse, it may be time to try dog coats, reduce the length of your walks, or even give walks a miss.

At around 0°C – Small dogs, puppies, elderly dogs, and naturally slim dogs (e.g. whippets, greyhounds, and lurchers) may start to struggle at this temperature and should avoid walks where possible.

At around -4°C – Skip the walks at this stage.  It’s recommended that you should not walk your dog at this temperature due to the potential health risks, even if you think they would be able to exercise effectively.   

Health risks for your dog if they spend too much time outside at these sorts of low temperatures may include: 

• Hypothermia
• Frostbite
• Cracked paws, pads, or noses

While every dog is different, all dogs are at greater risk of cold-related health concerns as it dips below freezing. So, as a general rule, it’s best to avoid   walking your dog at temperatures of -4°C or lower.  

Impact of weather conditions

Sometimes, simply checking the temperature on the thermometer (or, if you’re like us, on your phone’s weather app) isn’t enough when deciding whether it’s too cold to walk your dog.

You also need to consider the UK’s unpredictable weather conditions, such as:   

• Wind chill
• Wet conditions (e.g. rain, sleet or damp ground)
• Sunshine (a sunny day may make it feel warmer than it is)   

If in doubt, keep your walk short or skip it altogether – especially if your dog can go to the toilet in the garden instead.  

Top tip: To encourage your dog to exercise indoors, you could introduce them to mental stimulation games, teach them something new, or help them to build on their existing skills.

Dog walk temperature chart for UK residents  

Please note: Recommendations here can vary based on additional weather conditions like wind or chill, and your dog’s individual sensitivity.  

When is it too cold to walk a puppy?

You may be wondering whether it’s too cold to walk your puppy, especially if they’re aged six months or younger.

Puppies are at greater risk of health conditions caused by cold weather because they can’t regulate their body temperature as well as adult dogs. For this reason, even short walks can prove dangerous for puppies during the winter months – so when temperatures reach around 2°C, it’s best to avoid walking your puppy outdoors. 

If you’re concerned about walking your puppy in the winter, either speak to your usual vet or reach out to the vet experts at Joii Pet Care for advice. 

What can we do to keep our pets warm when outside in the winter?

Wrap them up in a coat 

Naturally slim and thin coated dogs can benefit from a warm jacket in the winter. 

Please note: Avoid putting a coat on a fluffy dog, as it might prevent their fur from acting as natural insulation, by pushing out air already trapped in their coat for warmth.

Keep active

Movement will generate body heat, so keep your dog moving on their walk, even if it’s shorter than usual.

Indoor play or even a short garden game can also help get their body temperature up.

Watch out for grit 

Be aware of chemicals, such as grit and salt on the roads, which can be an irritant to your dog’s paws, paw pads, and even their noses while they’re sniffing. 

Ice and snow can also cause irritation, since they might contain toxic substances like antifreeze or pesticides.

Protect those paws! 

There are some brilliant balms on the market to protect paws and pads from cold conditions. Sensitive dogs might benefit from dog-friendly booties as well, to keep their paw pads protected in cold conditions.

Top tip: Read our guide about how to look after your dog’s paws this winter!

Keep it snappy 

If your dog isn’t used to the cold, it is important to stick to shorter walks to start off with until they get used to it. 

Top tip: Heading outside during the warmer part of the day (11am-3pm) is a good place to start helping your dog get used to exercising in colder conditions.

Look out for signs that your dog is too cold

When you’re walking your dog in cold weather, it’s important to watch out for any symptoms of cold-related illness:

• Shivering
• Whining
• Reluctance to move
• Holding paws up
• Seeking warmth
• Acting disoriented

If you see any of these symptoms, head home immediately and warm up your dog safely. 

Important: Should you notice symptoms like clumsiness, pale gums, or your dog suddenly stops shivering despite being severely cold, please contact a vet straight away due to the risk of hypothermia.

Discover more helpful hints for pet parenting during winter, by visiting our articles on keeping your pet safe in the snow and top tips for tackling winter weather walks!