How to keep your old dog warm this winter

Winter can be tough on our pets, and it’s extra hard for our golden oldies. From high winds to freezing-cold washouts, our little island throws a lot at our ageing pups.

Senior dogs may have seen more winters than their younger relatives, but that doesn’t stop them from feeling the cold more.

Thankfully, as pet parents, we can make a few small changes to keep our older dogs warm. Here, discover how to keep an old dog warm and the changes you should make to keep them comfortable this winter.

How to keep an old dog warm in winter

Change up their routine

For example, moving your daily walk to midday and making it a little shorter (but still with enough exercise) can help reduce your dog’s exposure to the cold.

We’ll discuss specific routine changes later on.

Create a draft-free den

Little steps, like checking doors and windows for drafts and using thick blankets, can help keep your dog’s den comfy and draft-free.

Heat pads

Adding a pet-safe heat pad to their bed can help make their much-loved haunt even comfier in the cold months.

Move your dog’s bed to somewhere warmer

It sounds obvious, but your dog will appreciate moving their bed nearer your heat sources, like your radiator. This will work if you're figuring out how to keep an old dog warm at night. Just take care with very hot radiators, oil heaters and open fires, as burns could occur.

Winter gear with an idea

You don’t need to buy your older dog an entire wardrobe or splash a lot of cash here, but additions like winter boots, a doggie coat, and paw balm can make your dog’s walk more comfortable.

Don’t buy everything you can here - a little goes a long way.

Why it’s important to keep senior dogs warm

It’s important to keep any dog (and cat) warm. But senior dogs do feel the cold more, even if they’re in otherwise good health.

Here’s why:

Arthritis and joint pain

Older dogs are more likely to struggle with conditions like arthritis and joint pain, which often feel worse in cold weather.

The reasons are the same as in humans who struggle with these conditions: changes in air pressure, decreased activity levels, and the impact cold has on nerves and mood.

Slower metabolism

Metabolisms slow as mammals age, so our older dogs can feel the cold more. Slower metabolism means the body produces less heat, reducing their tolerance for colder temperatures. Some senior dogs also suffer from metabolic disorders like hypothyroidism which can further affect their ability to cope with cool temperatures.

Thinner fat layers

Older dogs will naturally lose weight as they get older. This can be a combination of fat and muscle, resulting in senior pups having less of a layer against the elements, leading to feeling the cold more.

Weaker immune system

Older dogs have a weaker immune system, which means reducing the risk of contracting illnesses and lowering life’s stressors, like cold exposure, is important.

Signs your senior dog is too cold

Signs your dog is too cold and could face issues like hypothermia include:

Behavioural signs

• Anxiety

• Barking or whining

• Confusion

• Lethargy

• Refusal to walk, go outside or exercise (energy-conservation)

• Seeking warmer shelter

Physical symptoms

• Curling in a ball

• Hunched posture

• Lethargy

• Physically cold to touch

• Shivering

• Stiff muscles

• Tucked tail

When is it too cold for an older dog?

As a general guide, here are temperatures where you'll likely need to exercise your dog indoors, as well as taking steps to make the indoors a bit more comfortable for them:

• 7°C (45°F): Dogs not suited to the cold will feel uncomfortable

• 0°C (32°F): This is dangerous for small dogs, thin-coated dogs, puppies, older dogs and those who are unwell. These dogs may be in danger if they spend too much time outside

• -6°C (20°F): This is too cold for most dogs and can lead to cold-related health problems like hypothermia.

Changing your older dog’s routine in winter to prioritise toasty times

Dietary adjustments: does your senior dog need more or fewer calories in the cold?

It depends. If your home is warm and your senior dog isn’t too cold in the house, you probably don’t need to change the amount of food they eat.

Take a look at your dog’s exercise plan in the cold: is it slowing down, or are they spending more time warming up? If your senior dog’s activity has reduced, you should probably just maintain calories, or even think about reducing it slightly if they are prone to weight gain., But if their exercise has increased, then up their food intake.

Monitor your senior dog’s weight and respond accordingly; it’s hard to give generic advice here as it varies on a pet-by-pet basis. Always speak to your vet if you’re not sure.

Exercise changes: intensity and timing

You should still exercise your older dog in winter. But you’ll need to make some little changes, like:

• Exercising them in the warmest parts of the day, instead of very early in the morning or late at night.

• Keep walks shorter, but more frequent, instead of exposing them to the cold for long periods of time. This will also help dogs with arthritis and joint pain.

• Avoiding swimming, especially if the weather is particularly icy. Prolonged exposure to very cold water could risk hypothermia, especially in older dogs.

Grooming in winter: what needs to change?

For the most part, your dog’s grooming routine can stay the same. But you may want to maintain a bit of a longer cut to help provide more insulation. Most groomers will recommend a longer “winter clip” for some breeds.

It’s still important to get your dog’s coat looked at, though, since matting is more of an issue in cold, snowy, and wet conditions.

Hydration

Keep an eye on how much your dog is drinking in winter. Their hydration and appetite could change in winter, but it’s still important to encourage drinking.

Make sure your dog always has access to fresh, non-freezing water, especially when you’re both outside.

Winter paw care: salt, ice, and antifreeze hazards

We know you’re probably looking after your dog’s paws anyway, but winter brings some nasty toxins with it that you’ll need to keep on top of. Things like rock salt can hurt our older dog’s well-worn paws, and you’ll need to keep an eye on chemicals like de-icers, too, which can pool near cars.

Thankfully, washing your dog’s paws after a walk and applying pet-safe paw balms should take care of them, meaning your golden oldie can relax in warmth and comfort.

Preventing slips and trips in winter

Older dogs, particularly arthritic dogs, are at higher risk of falling, especially on the wet, icy floors of winter. You can’t really control the floor outside, but you can control when you go out, which we’ve discussed above - picking the warmer parts of the day should reduce the chances of your dog falling on ice, and choosing to exercise indoors on particularly bad days is fine.

You can also control your home. We recommend putting non-slip mats on icy steps and slick indoor tiles, while using pet-friendly boots when you and your dog are outside. It can help to keep your dog’s nails trimmed too.

When you may need to see the vet

We recommend seeing a vet if you notice any of the serious symptoms we mentioned above, especially if they don't go away with heating strategies or if you’re concerned.

Older dogs are sensitive to the cold, so if you’re worried about your senior pup, then don’t hesitate to chat with your vet.

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