At what temperature should i bring my dog inside?
This is a question that we often get from sitter and owners who work with Rover. Help the community out by answering them in our forum!
4 Answers
It all depends on the dog! If the dog has thinker hair he can stay outside longer without getting cold because he has a layer to protect him. It also depends on the dog's attitude. Some dogs, like my own, do not like cold weather! With that being said stay on the cautious side. When your dog holds his paw off the ground his paws are starting to freeze. If you are cold outside your dog probably is too!
Depends where you live and the type of dog. If you have a Husky they have a double coat to protect them from the cold so they can be outside in colder temps. A poodle or a chihuahua won't be able to handle such cold temps. Safe rule is "if you're cold they're cold too" so bring them in.
When it drops below 20 degrees
As well as being concerned about when it is too cold for your dog to be outside, keep an eye on hot temperatures as well. If the weather makes it uncomfortable for you to be outside, chances are your pet can get uncomfortable. Make sure there is plenty of freshwater and a shady place to be.
Although some pets are conditioned to cold weather, veterinary experts agree that you should bring outdoor pets indoors if the temperature drops below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Puppies, kittens, and short-haired pets should come inside anytime the temperature goes below 40 degrees.
It also depends where you live. In many cities in Texas, the law is once the temperature hits 40 degrees outside, dogs must be brought indoors or have some type of insulated shelter to be brought into like a dog igloo.
32 is FREEZING and can cause misery, hypothermia, and death. 40 is lowest in for most adult dogs. Even 40 can be too low for some breeds and of course higher temps for elderly and puppies, just as with people. Leaving most dogs out below 40 is cruel. Also, they need a DRY place, not wet/snow.