Hypothermia and Frostbite in Dogs and Cats: The Signs, and When to Call
Pet very cold, weak, drowsy or collapsed? Phone your vet or an emergency vet now. The RSPCA says hypothermia in dogs can be fatal if not treated quickly. Find an emergency vet
This page is not veterinary advice. It lists the signs the RSPCA publishes so you can recognise them, and gives no treatment steps. Not veterinary advice.
On this page (6 sections)
Hypothermia: the signs
For dogs, the RSPCA lists shivering (which stops if the dog becomes severely cold), drowsiness and confusion, loss of coordination, pale gums, and loss of consciousness or collapse. For cats it lists shivering that stops suddenly, low energy, pale gums, cold ears, nose and paws, weakness, slow breathing and heart rate, or collapse. In both, it says to contact a vet immediately. Sources: RSPCA, Looking after your dog in cold weather; RSPCA, How to help cats in cold weather.
Frostbite: where and what it looks like
The RSPCA names the tail, foot pads, nose and ear tips in dogs, and the tail, toes, nose and ear tips in cats. Signs include pale or blue-white skin, pain, blisters, and blackened or dead skin; dogs may lick or chew the area. It says to see a vet immediately. Sources: RSPCA, Looking after your dog in cold weather; RSPCA, How to help cats in cold weather.
What the RSPCA says not to do
The RSPCA advises not rubbing a frostbitten area, not heating a cold pet too quickly, and not putting anything hot directly on the skin. Everything else is for the vet on the phone to guide. Sources: RSPCA, Looking after your dog in cold weather; RSPCA, How to help cats in cold weather.
Who is most at risk
The RSPCA lists small, slim, young and elderly dogs and puppies, dogs with short, thin or no fur, sick dogs, flat-faced breeds and dogs with arthritis or heart conditions; for cats, elderly and very young cats and hairless breeds. Sources: RSPCA, Looking after your dog in cold weather; RSPCA, How to help cats in cold weather.
Prevention
The RSPCA suggests coats for dogs that feel the cold, keeping cats in overnight when it drops below about 7 to 8°C, a clear cat flap, and drying pets after wet walks. More: walking your dog in cold weather and cats in cold weather. Sources: RSPCA, Looking after your dog in cold weather; RSPCA, How to help cats in cold weather.
Sources
- RSPCA, Looking after your dog in cold weather, read 7 November 2026.
- RSPCA, How to help cats in cold weather, read 7 November 2026.
Related pages
Find an emergency vet, antifreeze poisoning, can dogs eat snow? and pet emergency: who to call.
