How to Keep a Small Senior Dog Warm in Winter

When it is cold, Frank goes out in a coat. He is a small dog with no thick undercoat, and winter walks are simply more comfortable for him that way.

Small senior dogs are in a double bind when it gets cold. Being small means they lose heat fast. Being older means their bodies are not as good at making up for it. Here is what that means in practice.

Why small senior dogs get cold faster

Size. A small dog has a lot of skin surface compared to its body mass, so heat escapes faster than from a big dog.

Age. Older dogs, like puppies and dogs with health problems, are less able to regulate their body temperature. They can get cold quicker, even with winter gear on.

Coat. Dogs with a thick double coat handle cold much better than dogs with a single or thin coat.

Joints. Cold can make stiffness and joint discomfort worse in older dogs.

When does a small dog need a coat?

Vets don't agree on one exact temperature, and it depends on the dog. Two common rules of thumb:

• Some vets say small, thin-coated and senior dogs generally need a coat when it feels like 32°F (0°C) or colder.
• Others advise caution earlier, from about 45°F (7°C), for small, senior or thin-coated dogs.

Wind and rain make it feel much colder than the number says, so on wet or windy days a coat makes sense earlier.

Choosing a coat

• It should cover the chest and back, not just the shoulders.
• Wind- and water-resistant fabric gives the most protection on raw, wet days. A knitted sweater is fine for dry, chilly days.
• It has to work with the harness. Either the coat has an opening for the leash clip, or the harness fits over the coat. Try both before you buy.
• Easy on and off. If your dog is stiff, avoid coats that have to be pulled over the head and legs with a struggle.
• Off indoors. A coat is for outside. Take it off when you come in.

Walks in winter

• Shorter and more often. Two short walks are better than one long one.
• Watch your dog, not the clock. Shivering, lifting paws off the ground, slowing down or trying to turn home are all signs it is time to go back.
• Mind the ice. Senior dogs slip easily, and a fall can mean a real injury. Stick to cleared paths when you can.
• Wipe the paws afterwards. Road salt and de-icers can irritate paws, and you don't want your dog licking them off.
• Be visible. Winter walks are often in the dark. A reflective harness, coat or light helps drivers see a small dog.

If your dog becomes weak, very lethargic or stops shivering while still cold, warm them gently and call a vet. Shivering stopping is not always a good sign.

Keeping warm indoors

• A bed off the floor. Tile and wooden floors get cold, and a dog lying on them loses heat into the floor. A thick or slightly raised bed helps.
• Away from drafts. Not next to the front door or a cold window.
• A blanket they can burrow into. Many small dogs like to tuck themselves in.

Frank, for the record, would rather sleep in our bed than in his own. If your dog has the same idea and needs help getting up there, see our comparison of dog stairs and ramps.

If your dog's real problem with winter is rain rather than cold, read what to do when a small dog won't go out in the rain.