Keeping Dogs Safe in Cold Weather
Dog safety is my number one priority all year round, and winter brings its own risks just as summer does. Every decision I make about walking, whether it's for my own dogs or the ones in my care, is made with that in mind. Here's what I do, and what I'd encourage every dog owner to think about too.
Peterborough, 5-day forecast
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TL;DR — key points
- Well below freezing: short, sheltered walks only, or none at all
- A coat and paw balm help, and rinse paws after every walk to remove salt and grit
- Never let a dog onto a frozen pond, lake or canal — ice can give way with no warning
- Antifreeze is highly toxic even in tiny amounts — treat contact as an emergency
- Watch for shivering, paw-lifting or reluctance to keep walking
- If it’s too icy or dangerous underfoot, walks are cancelled, no exceptions
Quick reference only — this is a shortened summary, not medical advice. For anything urgent, read the full guide below and contact your vet.
How cold is too cold?
As a rough guide, this is how I judge it:
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Well below freezing
Icy pavements, biting wind or heavy rain often mean short, sheltered walks only, or none at all if it's not safe underfoot. A coat is sensible for most dogs at this point.
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Around freezing
A coat for small, short-haired, senior or young dogs, and a shorter walk for everyone. I check paws regularly for ice balling up between the pads.
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A few degrees above
Generally fine for a normal walk, but I still keep a closer eye on older dogs, very young dogs, and anyone who seems reluctant to keep moving.
Keeping warm
- A well-fitted coat for small, short-haired, senior or very young dogs, even if your dog usually manages fine without one in milder weather.
- Paw balm before a walk helps protect pads from cold pavements, grit and salt, and stops ice forming between the toes on longer-coated paws.
- Wipe or rinse paws after every winter walk to remove rock salt and grit before your dog can lick it off.
- Towel off a wet, cold dog properly as soon as you're home, paying particular attention to their belly and paws.
- Keep moving instead of standing around outside, it helps everyone stay warmer for the walk's duration.
Ice and antifreeze are genuine winter dangers. Never let a dog out onto a frozen pond, lake or canal, ice is rarely as thick as it looks and can give way with no warning. Antifreeze (ethylene glycol) tastes sweet to dogs and is highly toxic even in small amounts, if you suspect your dog has come into contact with it, treat it as an emergency and contact your vet immediately.
Short days, low visibility
Winter walks often happen in the dark at both ends of the day. A reflective collar, lead or coat, and a small clip-on light, make a real difference to being seen by traffic and cyclists on a normal route you might otherwise take for granted.
If walks aren't happening
Some days, the safest option is simply not to walk. My policy is the same as it is for extreme heat: if it's too icy, too wet, or too dangerous underfoot to walk safely, I won't take dogs out, no exceptions. I'll never charge for a walk that didn't happen, and I'll always let you know as soon as I've made that call.
Signs of cold stress
Know what to watch for: persistent shivering, repeatedly lifting a paw off the ground, reluctance to keep walking, seeking shelter, or unusual lethargy once home. Any of these are a sign to warm your dog up gradually and, if they don't settle, to call your vet.
Worth keeping your vet's number somewhere quick to find, so you're not searching for it mid-panic. My free printable pet emergency card is a fridge-ready spot for it, alongside the Animal PoisonLine and other useful numbers.
Cold weather is one of several situations where knowing what to do quickly really matters. My dog first aid guide covers other emergencies, from choking and bleeding to bloat and suspected poisoning.
Just come through fireworks season? My fireworks and Bonfire Night guide covers keeping an anxious dog calm through the noisiest weeks of the year. If you're ever unsure whether it's safe to walk your dog, message me, I'm always happy to talk it through.
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