How to Keep Your Puppies and Senior Dogs Warm This Winter

As the winter weather approaches, it’s important to take extra care of our furry friends. Cold weather for dogs, especially for puppies and seniors, can present some challenges. During the winter, our pups can feel the cold much more than us humans, so as a pet parent, it’s important to take some additional steps to ensure your pup is safe and warm.

Why Warmth Matters More for Puppies and Seniors

For all dogs, a warm and cozy environment supports both physical health and emotional well-being. However, pups at the start of their lives, and those who have a little more experience in the world, need a little extra attention and assistance to keep warm and safe.

Puppies

When dealing with colder temperatures, puppies are more susceptible to feeling a chill and showing cold dog symptoms. This is because they are still working on developing their ability to regulate their body temperature. Also, their thin fur and small body mass contribute to their vulnerability during the winter seasons.

Older Dogs

If you’re a senior dog parent, you may wonder if cold weather affects older dogs. The simple answer is yes. Even our resilient older pups can feel the cold. Although senior dogs may have thicker coats than puppies, they are still susceptible to the cold, especially if they’re exposed to it for a long time.

Cold weather can lead to a slower metabolism in senior dogs, as well as increased joint stiffness and a higher risk of other illnesses.

Signs Your Dog Might Be Too Cold

When determining if your senior dog or puppy is affected by the temperature, it’s important to look out for these symptoms of a cold dog:

• Shivering or trembling
• Hunched-up body posture
• Curling up tightly or seeking warm spots
• Cold to the touch ears or paws
• Reluctance to go outside or walk
• Lifting paws off the ground
• Whining or whimpering

How to Keep Your Dog Warm in Winter

There are many ways that you can help manage the cold weather for your dog, whether they’re indoors or outdoors. Even if your dog isn’t outdoors very often during the winter, the colder temperatures can still impact their indoor environment.

As a pet parent, you can make a few thoughtful adjustments to make sure your cold puppy or older dog feels all the warmth and comfort they need.

Indoor Warmth Tips

• Provide a warm, draught-free area—Using raised beds with blankets or heated pads can give your pup a safe and cozy place to sleep.
• Use dog-safe heating options—Pet-safe microwavable heat packs or hot water bottles are great, but make sure these are covered with a blanket to avoid direct contact with their skin. There are also self-warming material options that use your dog’s own body heat to keep them warm.
• Keep the home at a comfortable temperature—Make sure your home is a comfortable temperature for your dog and pay special attention to the warmth of the room that your dog sleeps in at night.
• Consider indoor dog clothing—For short-haired or small breeds, especially if your home is draughty, winter clothing such as a fleece jacket can help keep them warm. If putting your dog in any sort of jacket, be sure to watch out for signs of discomfort, taking the clothing off if they show any signs that indicate they are unhappy wearing it.
• Warm your dog’s food—For added warmth, you can also heat up their food slightly or add some warm dog-safe, salt-free stock. Just be sure to heat it gently and check the temperature to make sure it’s not too hot.

Outdoor Warmth Tips

• Limit time outside—During very cold weather, try to go out for shorter walks or toilet breaks, and be sure to monitor your pup for any cold dog symptoms.
• Use insulated clothing—When going on walks during the winter, use an insulated dog coat or waterproof jacket to help your puppy or senior dog stay protected from the cold.
• Keep an eye on their paws—Cold weather can affect dogs’ paws, causing damage and cracking from ice or snow packed between their pads. To protect their paws, dry them and give them a thorough wipe to check for any cracks or injuries after each walk. Some dogs may feel comfortable wearing paw booties but check that your dog is comfortable and able to move normally when wearing them.
• Dry your dog thoroughly—After walks in rain or snow, make sure your dog is completely dry to keep them warm and prevent skin irritation from the snow, ice or road salt.

Other Things to Consider

For Puppies

When caring for your puppy in the winter, there are a few other considerations to keep in mind:

• Avoid outdoor walks in freezing temperatures until your puppy is more mature and ensure they’re fully vaccinated.
• Use puppy pads indoors, if necessary, during the extreme cold to limit their time outdoors.
• Keep playtime indoors with soft toys and gentle games, using brain activities to support their mental stimulation and development.
• Continue with their socialization and habituation where possible. Letting them explore handling, different surfaces and sounds can all be safely done at home.

For Senior Dogs

When learning how to keep your older dog warm in winter, there are a few additional steps you can take to ensure they are comfortable:

• Provide orthopaedic bedding to ease joint pain.
• Keep food and water bowls in warmer areas to encourage eating and hydration. Be sure to check with your vet for the right diet and amount to feed your dog over the winter months.
• Offer gentle indoor exercise and include winter brain activities to keep their joints mobile without overexertion.

How ADAPTIL Can Help

During the cold weather, a dog’s routine can change quite significantly, which leads to increased stress in some pups. Using ADAPTIL Calm during winter can help maintain a calm and secure environment for your dog amidst the shift in seasons. Simply plug the diffuser into the room where your dog spends most of their time and it will provide comfort for up to 30 days.

For newly adopted puppies, you can also try ADAPTIL Junior, which is an effective solution to help your puppy feel comforted as they learn and adapt to all the wonders of their new world.

For more expert dog care tips, keep exploring the ADAPTIL blog online. And don’t forget to sign up for our newsletter to remain in the loop with all our latest updates!