Keeping a Senior Dog Comfortable in Winter

Senior dog winter care comes down to warmth, footing and shorter outings. The AVMA notes that very old pets can have a harder time regulating their body temperature, and that cold weather may worsen some conditions such as arthritis.

Keep walks shorter, add a dry coat if your dog feels the cold, give a padded bed away from drafts, put grip on slippery floors, and wipe paws after every walk.

Each step below comes with the reason the veterinary sources give for it, so you can judge what your own dog needs this year.

Why do older dogs feel the cold more?

The AVMA says cold tolerance varies from pet to pet with coat, body fat, activity level and health. Very old and very young pets may have a harder time regulating body temperature.

The AVMA says the same of pets with diabetes, heart disease, kidney disease or hormonal imbalances such as Cushing's disease, which can make them more susceptible to temperature extremes.

Coat and shape matter too. Short-haired dogs feel the cold faster, the AVMA explains, and short-legged dogs can chill quickly because their bellies sit closer to the snow.

A common belief is that fur makes dogs more resistant to cold than people are. The AVMA says that isn't true: dogs and cats are susceptible to frostbite and hypothermia, and generally should be kept inside in cold weather.

For a temperature guide by size and coat, see our article on how cold is too cold for dogs.

How long should winter walks be for an older dog?

Shorter than in summer, but don't drop them. The Merck Veterinary Manual's editors point out that walks matter for a dog's overall health, and suggest adjusting walk times as the temperature drops.

The AVMA agrees you'll probably need to shorten walks in very cold weather. It adds a point that matters for older dogs: arthritic and elderly pets may have more trouble on snow and ice, and may be more likely to slip and fall.

A few more winter walk rules from the same sources:

• Keep your dog on leash on snow and ice. The ASPCA explains that dogs can lose their scent in snow, and that more dogs are lost in winter than in any other season.
• Check the ID tag and microchip details. The AVMA says snow and ice can hide the scents that help a pet find its way home.
• Stay away from frozen ponds and lakes. The AVMA warns that you can't know whether the ice will hold your dog's weight.
• Head home if your dog slows down, seems weak or looks for somewhere warm to burrow. The AVMA lists these among the signs of hypothermia.

Does my senior dog need a coat or booties?

If your dog has a short coat or seems bothered by the cold, the AVMA suggests a sweater or coat. The ASPCA recommends one with a high collar or turtleneck that covers from the base of the tail to the belly.

Keep it dry. The AVMA warns that a wet sweater or coat can actually make your dog colder, and suggests keeping several on hand so your dog goes out in a dry one each time.

Booties can keep salt and sand from lodging between the toes, according to the ASPCA. The AVMA adds that they must fit properly. AAHA's senior guidelines also list toe grips and boots among the changes that can help dogs who move less easily.

Long-coated dogs need the opposite approach. The ASPCA says never shave a dog down to the skin in winter, and suggests trimming long hair, including between the toes, to limit clinging ice balls.

Our guide does my dog need a winter coat goes into breed and coat type.

What does senior dog winter care look like indoors?

Start with the bed. The ASPCA advises a warm place to sleep, off the floor and away from all drafts. The AVMA adds that pets move their sleeping spot as they need more or less warmth, so offer a few safe options.

AAHA's 2023 Senior Care Guidelines give a short list of home tips for older pets. Several fit winter well:

• bedding that is adequately padded, kept clean and dry
• secure rugs and mats over slippery floors, for traction
• ramps where your dog has to climb
• a resting area moved closer to the door, so trips outside are shorter
• harnesses that help you support a dog who moves less easily

Be careful with heat sources. The AVMA warns that space heaters can cause burns or be knocked over, and that heated pet mats should be used with caution because they can also cause burns.

Towel your dog dry after time outside. The ASPCA explains that going back and forth between cold air and a warm house can leave skin itchy and flaking, and suggests keeping your home humidified.

What about salt, ice melt and antifreeze?

Wipe your dog's feet, legs and belly after every winter walk. The AVMA explains that dogs pick up de-icers, antifreeze and other chemicals outside, then lick them off.

Merck's editors describe the signs of rock salt poisoning: vomiting within several hours, which can progress to weakness, diarrhea, muscle tremors and seizures.

Antifreeze is another serious risk. Merck notes that it tastes sweet and puts the lethal dose at only 3 to 4 teaspoons in dogs.

Clean up spills at once and store containers out of reach. The ASPCA suggests products made with propylene glycol rather than ethylene glycol, and pet-friendly ice melts where you can.

Our guide to dog paw care in winter covers cracked pads and salt in more detail.

If you think your dog has swallowed antifreeze or another toxin, call your vet or ASPCA Poison Control at (888) 426-4435 immediately.

Should an older dog eat more in winter?

The sources differ a little here, and the difference is about where your dog spends the day. The ASPCA says pets burn extra energy staying warm, and suggests feeding a little extra in winter with plenty of water.

The AVMA's advice is to keep your pet at a healthy weight through winter. It says extra weight as cold protection carries health risks that outweigh any benefit, and that it's outdoor pets who need more calories.

The AVMA ties extra calories to outdoor pets, so for a senior dog who spends winter mostly indoors, ask your vet before adding food. Our guide to senior dog food explains why calorie needs tend to fall with age.

When is cold an emergency?

The AVMA lists the signs of hypothermia: whining, shivering, seeming anxious, slowing down or stopping, weakness, or looking for warm places to burrow. Get your dog inside quickly if you see them.

Here's a twist worth knowing. The Merck editors say shivering usually isn't a sign of hypothermia in pets, as it is in people. Instead, pets typically act weak or disoriented, breathe shallowly or have a slow pulse. So don't wait for shivering.

Frostbite is easy to miss. The AVMA says it may not be fully recognized until a few days after the damage. Merck says it typically affects the ear tips, feet and tail, and the skin may look pale or red, swollen and painful.

Never leave your dog in a parked car. The AVMA says a car in cold weather acts like a refrigerator, and that young, old, ill or thin pets are especially at risk.

Call your vet promptly if your senior dog:

• seems weak, disoriented, or breathes shallowly after time in the cold
• has ear tips, toes or tail that look pale, red, swollen or painful
• has cracked or bleeding paw pads, or suddenly goes lame on a walk, which the AVMA says can be injury or ice between the toes
• may have licked or eaten salt, ice melt or antifreeze
• seems stiffer or struggles more with stairs or getting up as the weather turns

The AVMA recommends a vet exam at least once a year, and says now is as good a time as any to check your pet is ready for the cold. AAHA's guidelines go further for seniors, recommending a medical workup once or twice a year.

Questions senior dog parents ask

How cold is too cold to walk an older dog?

The AVMA gives no single number, because tolerance varies with coat, body fat, activity and health. It says no pet should stay outside for long in below-freezing weather.

The ASPCA's rule of thumb: if it's too cold for you, it's probably too cold for your pet.

Do older dogs get stiffer in the cold?

The AVMA says cold weather may worsen some conditions such as arthritis, and that arthritic and elderly pets may find snow and ice harder to walk on. Tell your vet if you notice more stiffness.

Is a heated bed safe for a senior dog?

Use one with care. The AVMA says heated pet mats should be used with caution because they can still cause burns.

Should I bathe my older dog less in winter?

The ASPCA suggests bathing as little as possible during cold spells, because washing too often can remove essential oils and make dry, flaky skin more likely. Ask your vet about a moisturizing shampoo if a bath is needed.

Sources

• American Veterinary Medical Association: Cold Weather Animal Safety
• ASPCA: Cold Weather Safety Tips
• Merck Veterinary Manual Editorial Staff: Keeping Pets Safe During Cold Winter Months, 2025
• Quimby J, et al. 2023 AAHA Senior Care Guidelines for Dogs and Cats. Journal of the American Animal Hospital Association

This article is for general information and is not veterinary advice. Talk to your vet about your own dog — they know the animal in front of them.

Choolip products are food supplements, not medicine. They are not intended to diagnose or manage any medical condition. If your dog has been diagnosed with a condition, their diet should be set by your vet.