Winter Whiskers and Wagging Tails: Keeping Your Pets Warm and Healthy

As it gets colder outside and we enjoy snuggling up to a warm cup of cocoa inside we may start wondering the best way to keep our furry companions enjoying the cold weather. How much help our pets will need depends a lot on their breed and natural cold weather equipment. Breeds with “double coats” for example will naturally stay much warmer than breeds with thinner coats.

How do cats and dogs stay warm?

Depending on your dog or cat’s breed they may be better suited for winter weather naturally, but there are some anatomical features that help them keep themselves warm.

• Longer noses with large sinuses- Non-brachiocephalic breeds (animals without short noses) will breathe through their long, nasal passages prior to entering the lungs. Their nasal passages have a large amount of blood flow warming the air up a great degree prior to it entering the lungs preventing them from losing body heat while breathing.
• Thick hair coat- Some dogs and cats have thicker coats than others, but most breeds will be able to grow a nice thick coat with two layers. The outer layer has longer, larger hairs that help to act like a wind/water barrier. The inner layer has shorter, and individually smaller hairs allowing warm hair to be trapped next to the animal’s body preventing heat loss to the environment
• Bushy Tail- While some breeds do not have long tails, most dogs and cats come equipped with long, well insulated tails. These tails are often used as nose warmers that can be wrapped around the animal when sleeping curled up protecting its vulnerable eyes and nose from frostbite while sleeping.

When do our pets need blankets?

The dog blanket industry is a very large industry giving all the options for weight, size, color, and shape to choose from for your pet. When to blanket or not blanket depends on your individual animal’s coat quality and ability to stay warm. Some things to keep in mind:

• Thin coated and/or hairless animals- Many house pets are body clipped in the winter time to keep them clean and eliminate matting. These dogs and cats need to be blanketed to stay warm just was we need a coat to stay warm outside. When inside a temperature-controlled house, blankets are unnecessary but when going outside to explore/eliminate these animals will need some protection. Often the temperatures listed on the side of the blanket is a good measure for which one to grab.
• Thin/losing weight- If your animal heads into the winter months a little underweight or you notice that your pet is dropping weight during the winter then a blanket would be beneficial. Without a good layer of body fat under the skin it can be hard for our pets to maintain their own insulation. As a result of less insulation, dogs and cats will increase their metabolism to burn more energy and maintain their body temperature. Depending on how many extra calories your pet needs to burn, they may start losing weight at a rapid rate. Blankets can help maintain their temperature using less calories.
• Shivering- If you ever see a dog or cat start shivering then their natural defenses to keep the chill out have not worked in this situation. If they are wet a dry place out of the wind with a blanket designed to wick moisture off their body would be ideal to help them dry out. If they are dry and shivering then a nice big blanket to make up for a lack of insulation would be appreciated.

Other than blankets, how can I help my pet stay warm/healthy?

• Warm water- In cold weather it is very important to make sure a clean, fresh water source is always available. Cold air is much drier than warm air, pulling fluid out of the lungs as the animal breaths. Dehydration is more of a concern the colder it gets. Warm water not only helps prevent leaching heat internally when swallowed, but it is also more easily absorbed allowing your animal to hydrate faster than with cold water. Warm water also does not freeze ensuring that it is always available..
• Shelter- Giving our pets a place to get out of the wind and rain is essential for them to be able to use their coats to their full potential. Windy storms can break their natural barriers and if the coat next to the skin gets wet our animals will have a very difficult time maintaining their normal internal body temperature.
• Bedding- Different bedding types have varying natural insulating abilities. A deeper, insulating bedding can allow our pets to lay down without losing heat to the ground and getting their core wet. Additionally, dogs and cats will often burrow into deeper bedding to cover/insulate themselves while sleeping. This works best when placed in a shelter with shavings and/or straw being the most common choices used.


Health Concerns During Winter:

Every season brings its own challenges and with those challenges different medical conditions are often seen. Most common issues that we encounter in the winter include:

• Soreness/Difficulty moving- Cold weather often exacerbates arthritic pain in joints. We see a lot of our aged companions have a much harder time getting around. A heated bed/blanket can help them get going in the morning in addition to pet safe pain medications as needed.
• Frostbite- Every year we see animals come in with frost bitten ears/tails and occasionally toes. This is often the result of not having an adequate shelter available to stay dry and get out of the wind/rain to keep their natural cold weather defenses working at their best.
• Dehydration- With the air being drier and water often not as readily available, it is very easy for our pets to become dehydrated rather quickly in the colder months.
• Hypothermia- Should an animal’s natural defenses be compromised or inadequate for the temperatures experienced their core body temperature will become too low and their internal organs will start to shut down. Should this happen slow rewarming needs to be instituted with great care.

When to Call the Veterinarian:

Should an animal start to show signs of a loss of feeling in an area/limb or have a black discoloration that is a good sign that your pet may have experienced some frostbite. Shivering that is not quickly resolved and/or marked lethargy are all good signs that you may need some extra help this winter season.

Our Commitment to You

At Carrollton Animal Hospital, we believe in providing the best possible care for your furry companions no matter the time of year. If you have any further questions or concerns regarding your animal this winter season please do not hesitate to call.

Resources for Pet Owners

For additional discussions on winter care for dogs and cats I encourage you to check out:

• https://www.aspca.org/pet-care/general-pet-care/cold-weather-safety-tips
• https://vetmed.illinois.edu/pet-health-columns/pets-cold-weather-needs/
• https://www.aaha.org/publications/newstat/articles/2014-01/avma-offers-tips-for-pet-owners-to-protect-pets-from-the-cold/

In Conclusion

As the days are short and the temperature drops, the weather outside can be unpredictable at best. Snuggle up in a blanket knowing that your faithful furry friends are safe and happy with all the tools they need to stay warm.