WHEN IS IT TOO COLD TO WALK YOUR DOG? PET EXPERTS SAY IT DEPENDS ON THE BREED

With snow and frost having hit the East Yorkshire region during a prolonged cold snap, and more talk of it being a white Christmas, dog owners will be bracing themselves for more freezing-cold “walkies”.

Low visibility and the earlier onset of darkness present their own challenges to dog walkers but when the temperatures take a dip, this could be a threat to your pet’s health and when it is extremely cold, it could be potentially life-threatening.

If your dog doesn’t handle the cold very well, it can leave you wondering if you can take your dog out in the snow. To help keep your four-legged friend safe and well, while still remaining active, dog experts at Kennel Store have provided some winter tips.

Check the temperature before walking

Depending on your dog’s breed, it may be too cold for your dog to go out for a walk. Before heading out, check the temperature as the risk levels depend on your dog’s weight and breed and other factors including the thickness of its natural coat, whether it is acclimatised to cold and whether it is wet out, as well as cold.

At 7C/45F, it could be potentially unsafe for a small dog, depending on breed, whereas for a large breed, risk is unlikely. At -6C/20F, this is potentially life-threatening cold for a little dog; you should exercise caution with a medium-sized breed as this temperature is potentially dangerous to them and it could be unsafe for even a large breed.

Keep your dog on a lead if it’s snowing

Snow can cause poor visibility, and if your dog is off lead it could mean them getting lost. If the snowfall is particularly heavy, there may be deep patches or holes and unsafe areas. Keep your dog on the lead to prevent them from falling and potentially injuring themselves.

In addition, ensure your dog is wearing a collar with an ID tag and that it is microchipped. It’s important that the microchipping database is up to date with your address and current contact information.

Don’t allow your dog to walk on frozen ponds and lakes

Ice can be deceiving and extremely dangerous. If your dog is on a frozen pond, it may not be strong enough to hold their weight and they could fall through. Should this be the case, encourage them to swim back to you and call emergency services as soon as possible.

When considering their safety, damp conditions and wet weather can cause metal to rust, so be sure to check your dog’s lead clips and harnesses. With less sunlight, consider purchasing a LED collar or lead for your dog to ensure that you and your dog are visible to drivers. Alternatively, walking earlier in the day means you will be more visible to oncoming vehicles and will likely be warmer.

Wipe their paws

Be sure to wipe your dog’s paws when you come in, to remove salt and grit. This prevents their paw pads getting sore and stops your dog ingesting salt and ice-melting chemicals.

In extremes of temperature and bad weather, you may find you’re spending more time inside. Provide your dog with enrichment games and long-lasting tasty treats that can keep them mentally stimulated. Even if your dog is trained and knows multiple tricks, being indoors in the cold weather is a great opportunity to teach your dog new tricks and skills. This means bonding time for yourself and your dog – and also is a mentally enriching and stimulating activity.

Change your route

When you can get out, walking different routes allows your dog to experience new smells and surroundings, and changing up your route provides an exciting change to your and your dog’s routine.