How to Keep Your Dog Warm in Winter: A Complete Guide

Not every dog needs a coat, and not every dog is fine without one. A Husky in the garden and a Whippet on the sofa are having very different winters. Here is how to work out what yours needs.

Which Dogs Actually Need Help Staying Warm In Winter

Coat type, size, and age decide most of it. A thick double coat does a lot of the work on its own, while a thin single coat does very little. The same principle runs through our guide to five ways to keep dogs cool in summer: read your own dog’s signs, not the thermometer.

Coat Types Compared And What Each One Can Handle

A wet coat stops insulating, no matter the type or fabric. A damp, windy 6°C day is harder on a dog than a dry, still 2°C one.

Size, Age, and Why Small Dogs Lose Heat Faster

Small dogs lose heat faster than big ones. They have more surface area for their body weight, and they sit closer to cold ground.

Dogs who feel it more:

• Small breeds, especially thin ones.

• Puppies, who cannot regulate temperature properly yet.

• Older dogs, who often have less muscle and a thinner coat.

• Very lean dogs, with little fat to insulate them.

• Dogs recovering from illness or on restricted exercise.

Cold mornings are harder on older dogs, and our guide to joint health and mobility covers what helps.

How To Tell When Your Dog Is Genuinely Cold

Your dog will tell you. You just have to know what you’re looking for.

• Hunched posture, with the tail tucked under.

• Shivering, the most obvious sign.

• Cold ears, which can be checked quickly by hand.

• Lifting paws off the pavement, one at a time.

• Burrowing into blankets or curling into a tight ball.

• Heat-seeking, lying against the radiator rather than in their bed.

• Whining or going flat, depending on the dog.

On a walk, if they stop and look at you, which is usually a request to go home. Take this as a serious sign.

Keeping Your Dog Warm At Home Day And Night

Most homes are fine for most dogs. The problems are draughts, cold floors and damp bedding rather than the air temperature.

The RSPCA advises that dogs kept outdoors should come inside, or be given a heat source, if the temperature drops below 10°C. Indoors, somewhere between 10°C and 25°C suits most dogs.

Where the bed sits matters as much as what it is made of.

1. Move it away from draughts. Not by the back door, a letterbox or a cold external wall.

2. Lift it off the floor. Even a few centimetres cuts the heat lost into a cold floor.

3. Add a blanket they can push about and burrow under.

4. Check it is dry. Damp bedding makes a dog colder, not warmer.

5. Give them a choice. Two beds in different rooms let them pick the warmer one.

Staying Warm On Walks When The Weather Turns

Two shorter walks beat one long one in the cold. Always keep your dog moving rather than standing about, and go out in daylight when you can.

Coats, Jumpers And When A Dog Really Needs One

A coat is for dogs who genuinely feel it, not every dog. Look for one that covers the chest and belly, fastens snugly without rubbing, and lets them squat and walk normally. Waterproof materials actually matter more than the thickness of your dog’s coat in winter, since being wet is what chills a dog. Introduce it indoors first with a treat or two. A dog who has never worn anything will need a few goes before it feels normal.

How To Care For Dog Paws In The Winter Months

Pads take the worst of winter: cold ground, grit, rock salt and ice.

1. Trim the fur between the pads, so ice balls cannot form.

2. Wipe after every walk: paws, legs and tummy.

3. Check weekly for cracks, splits or grit caught between the toes.

4. Use a balm if the pads look dry. A Bugalugs pet care range covers paw balms and grooming bits for the muddiest months.

5. Consider boots for very cold spells; introduce them slowly indoors.

Never let your dog lick rock salt off their paws, and keep antifreeze sealed and cleaned up. If you think they have had either, ring your vet straight away.

Drying A Wet Dog Properly Once You Get Home

A damp dog stays cold long after they are back indoors. Towel the chest, belly and legs first, as that is where the water sits. Check that they are properly dry before they settle down, and wash bedding often in a wet winter, as damp bedding goes musty and stops insulating.

Warmth, Bedding And Keeping Busy On Short Walk Days

A dog who had twenty minutes instead of an hour still has the same energy left over. Movement generates heat, so a busy dog is usually a warmer dog, and a dog with something to work at will settle properly afterwards rather than pacing the hallway.

Long-lasting chews are a great way to keep a dog occupied in winter. Instead of one chew handed over after tea, try spreading it across the evening:

• Split it up. Give half a chew at five and the rest at eight, so there are two quiet spells instead of one.

• Make them work for it. Wrap a chew in an old towel and let them unpick it before they get started.

• Move it about. Put it in a different room each night so finding it is part of the job.

• Warm it slightly. A chew left near a radiator for a few minutes smells stronger, which holds their interest for longer.

For the chew itself, you want something that takes real time on a dark evening. Bully sticks are a single-ingredient treat and keep most dogs occupied for a good stretch. Cow hooves are hollow, so they hold a dog's attention as they work at the inside. For a smaller dog, beef skin chews have a similar chewing time without being too much to get through.

Final Thoughts On Keeping Your Dog Warm All Winter

Keeping a dog warm comes down to a handful of habits. Work out whether your dog actually feels the cold, move the bed away from draughts and off the floor, coat them if their coat cannot do the job, and dry them properly before they settle.

Wipe the paws after every walk and check them once a week. Keep water fresh and unfrozen. Fill the gap the shorter walks leave with something to sniff out and something to chew, and if anything seems different beyond the usual winter slowdown, speak to your veterinarian rather than assuming it is the weather.

A little note for happy, healthy dogs: The information in this article is intended as general guidance only and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. Every dog is different, so please choose treats appropriate for your dog’s age, size, dietary needs, and chewing habits, and always supervise them while enjoying treats or chews. Feed treats in moderation as part of a balanced diet and ensure fresh, clean drinking water is always available. If your dog has any allergies, health conditions, or specific dietary requirements, or if you have any concerns about their health or diet, please speak to your vet before introducing new treats.