Winter can be challenging – especially if you had fun weekend plans. But for your dog, it's just another day with their favorite friend. Still, as a dog owner, you need to pay a little extra attention to how your dog is handling the cold weather.

Here's how to care for your dog in winter, answering some of your most common questions, plus a few extra helpful tips.

Does Winter Weather Mean a Change in My Dog’s Diet?

Winter weather especially the cold and wet makes you wonder if your dog needs different food. It depends on where you live, the kind of winter you have, and how much time your pet spends outside, even if they're used to the cold.

If you're in the South or on the West Coast and your dog's mostly indoors, you probably don't need to change their food, as long as they're still as active. But if your dog's mainly outdoors, you might need to tweak things a bit. The important thing is whether your dog gets the same amount of exercise all year round. That can be difficult with shorter days and more rain.

Winter and Your Dog's Weight

When it gets cold, we often walk our dogs less, meaning they burn fewer calories. If you keep feeding them the same amount, they'll gain unhealthy winter weight.

- Indoor Dogs In Cold Climates:

If your dog's mostly indoors in an area with real winters, you're in charge of their exercise. When it's freezing, both you and your dog might want to stay inside.

Less exercise means they burn fewer calories, so you might need to feed them less to keep them at a healthy weight. 

Or, you could keep up their exercise – even in the cold. If you're both still very active outdoors, your dog might actually need more healthy food. Always check with your vet before making big changes to their diet.

- Outdoor Dogs In Cold Climates:

If your dog lives outside in the winter, talk to your vet about changing their food. Dogs shiver to stay warm, and shivering burns lots of energy (calories). 

Studies show that outdoor dogs in the cold may need two or three times their normal calorie intake. This extra food helps them build fat for warmth and makes up for the calories they burn while staying warm. Without it, they can lose weight.

Something else to know: How much extra food they need depends on a few key things like their coat type, size, and how good their shelter is.

It's not just the cold weather or snow!

Cold isn't the only thing that changes your pet's food needs in winter. Shorter days also slow down their metabolism, making them store more fat to stay warm. Less daylight also means less walks and playtime for many dogs. If your indoor dog isn't as active as usual, you may need to feed them less.

Should My Dog Wear Clothes in Winter?

It depends because many dogs with thick coats stay warm even on very cold days. But some dogs, like whippets, have thin coats and do much better with a sweater or coat. Senior dogs, especially those with arthritis, often benefit from extra warmth too. 

Even if your dog never needed a coat when they were younger, they might as they get older. If you're not sure, just watch them, if they're shivering and seem hunched over, a coat is a good idea. But you can also keep them warm with blankets or by letting them snuggle up inside near a heater.

Keep Cold Walks Short

Dogs can get frostbite, especially on their tails and ears. On really cold days, keep your dog inside unless it's a breed that loves the cold. If they do go out, keep an eye out for frostbite – their skin might look white or blue, pain or discomfort when touched, and swelling or blisters (in severe cases).

A good rule is when you're cold, they probably are too! So, keep your dog inside where they're safest and happiest. Take them for walks, of course, but their home should be inside with you, and never leave them outside alone when it's cold. 

Make Sure Their Bed is Warm

If your dog sleeps in a colder spot, make sure their bed is warm and cozy, and don't let them sleep on a cold floor. A raised bed helps with extra blankets.

Try to put it where they usually sleep, so it feels comfortable and familiar and most importantly keep their bed away from uncarpeted floors or drafts, especially if they're a puppy or senior dog.

Keep Your Dog Away From Heaters and Fireplaces

Cold weather can make your dog seek out warmth, but be very careful about letting them get too close to heaters or fireplaces. Even with safety features, those surfaces can get dangerously hot, and a curious dog could easily be burned.

Make the Most of Sunny Winter Days

Don't let the cold stop you and your dog from enjoying the outdoors! Maximize the warmth by planning your walks for the sunniest part of the day – usually late morning or early afternoon. 

Make it a fun adventure, throw a ball or frisbee and enjoy some quality time together in the sunshine, and reward him with a few healthy treats along the way. It's a great way for both of you to get some vitamin D. Remember, sticks are a no-no – opt for safer eco-friendly toys instead.

Age Matters

Winter weather is particularly challenging for puppies and senior dogs because they can't regulate their body temperature as well as adult dogs. This means they'll feel the cold or the heat more intensely. 

While a romp in the snow might be fun for a young, healthy adult dog, it could be too much for a very young or senior dog. Keeping them mostly indoors, especially when the weather is extreme, will help them stay comfortable.

Winter Paw Care

Your dog's pads can get dry and cracked, exactly like our feet. If they have fluffy paws, trim the fur between their toes – that helps stop ice from sticking. 

Before heading out, check your dog's paws for any cuts or scrapes. And keep those nails trimmed – a broken nail is no fun in any weather! Long nails also let snow and ice get between their toes.

Also, sidewalk salt burns and isn't good for them, so wipe their paws clean after walks. If they seem sore walking on ice or salty sidewalks, get them some booties – they'll love the extra protection.

Some dogs, like Malamutes, Huskies, and Samoyeds do well in winter! They've got thick fur, extra padding on their paws, and great blood flow to keep them warm. Other breeds don't have quite as much natural protection.

Here's a pro tip: If your dog's coat gets snowy but not icy when they're outside, they're probably doing okay. But if you see lots of ice forming on their fur, that means they need extra help staying warm.

Never Leave Your Dog in the Car

Even for a minute! Cars get dangerously hot in summer, and freezing cold in winter. Leaving the engine running is risky, too, because of carbon monoxide. It's safest to leave your dog home when you run errands.

We hope you found this guide helpful for caring for your dog this winter. If you're new here, be sure to check out our other articles – Healthy Dogma shares weekly tips and advice for dog owners. And don't forget to subscribe to our newsletter for more helpful content and dog-friendly wisdom.