Tolerance to low temperatures depends on each animal, but there are a series of very clear signs that can alert us.
Autumn seems to have come to stay, and despite the fact that the temperatures are not yet too low, the truth is that, little by little, we are experiencing colder days, the consequences of which are also suffered by our dogs on their daily walks, especially the dogs short-haired, small breeds, puppies, older dogs or dogs with health problems.
This is how the cold affects them
And it is that our pets also notice the effects of low temperatures, which manifest themselves in the form of:
- sneezing.
- Nasal and eye discharge.
- physical weakness
Therefore, we must be vigilant when these symptoms appear, clear indications that our pet is suffering prolonged exposure to the cold outside, which can even lead to hypothermia in some cases , a no less problem, which can seriously put The health of our furry is at risk. And it is that tolerance to temperature varies in each animal . Therefore, it is important to know the signs that a dog shows when it is getting cold and may be reaching the limit of its resistance.
What signs alert us that our dog is getting cold?
- Visible chills or shaking . In this sense, they have a similar reaction to humans, and dogs react to cold with these repeated movements that work as a natural reaction to stay warm.
- Ears or body colder than normal. Our dogs’ ears are a good indicator: thus, feeling that they are cold on you is a good way to know their temperature. If the ears are cold, particularly in the area around the edges, they indicate that our dog is feeling cold. The same happens with his body, if it has been colder than usual, it is likely that your dog is too cold and requires an extra layer to help him stay warm.
- Does it curl up, into a ball, or slouch with its tail tucked between its legs and trembling? If this happens, and he performs any of these gestures , it is very possible that he does so in an attempt to warm himself with the heat of his own body.
- Whining, whining, and unusual sounds. They are their way of communicating with you. Therefore, if your dog feels uncomfortable, he can try to let you know by complaining, whining or barking, one of the reasons is that he is cold and requires attention from his family.
- Slow breathing and drowsiness. You may notice that your dog relaxes his breathing in an unusual way: that may also be a sign that he is cold. This tends to occur more frequently after large meals or doing a lot of exercise.
- Muscular stiffness. Another symptom is when the animal has very rigid muscles. At that time, it will be key to look at the movement of your joints or massage them regularly to find out if you maintain your muscle tone.
How should we proceed?
Once you realize that your dog may be getting cold, it’s time to find solutions.If your dog shows any of the above signs, he takes precautions to keep him warm. In this sense, if you have a dog that is more sensitive to the cold, wrap it up with a sweater, raincoat or coat for dogs ; some boots to keep the legs warm when we take it out in extreme cold and humid conditions; or a well-insulated house if our dog needs to be outdoors for long periods of time. And, of course, remember to keep a close eye on your pet during extreme temperatures
