Walking Your Dog in Cold Weather: Coats, Paws, Ice and Dark Evenings
Short answer. Most dogs still need their walks in winter. PDSA says short-haired breeds, puppies and older dogs may need a coat, paws should be washed after walking on grit or salt, dogs should stay on a lead near frozen water, and lights and hi-vis help after dark. Not veterinary advice.
On this page (8 sections)
Does my dog need a coat?
PDSA says shorter-haired breeds, puppies and older dogs may need a coat in cold weather, while dogs with thick coats are usually less bothered by the chill. Source: PDSA, Winter advice to keep your pet safe through the cold season (13 December 2022).
Paws, snow, grit and salt
PDSA suggests trimming the hair between the pads so less snow balls up, soaking off snow in warm water after a walk, and washing paws after walking on gritted or salted roads, because salt and grit can irritate them; a pet-safe paw balm can help stop pads cracking. More: rock salt and dog paws. Source: PDSA, Winter advice to keep your pet safe through the cold season (13 December 2022).
Ice and frozen ponds
PDSA says icy ground is as slippery for pets as for people, and advises keeping dogs on a lead near frozen ponds and other water. Source: PDSA, Winter advice to keep your pet safe through the cold season (13 December 2022).
Dark evenings
PDSA suggests an LED collar, a hi-vis lead or coat and a torch for walks after dark, so you can see and be seen. Source: PDSA, Winter advice to keep your pet safe through the cold season (13 December 2022).
Older dogs and stiff joints
PDSA says cold weather can make stiff joints and arthritis worse in older pets, and that if a dog is less active in winter its food may need cutting back to match. More: senior dog care. Source: PDSA, Winter advice to keep your pet safe through the cold season (13 December 2022).
Antifreeze
PDSA says antifreeze is very toxic and can be fatal, and that if a pet may have licked some you should contact a vet immediately and never wait for symptoms. Full page: antifreeze poisoning in dogs and cats. Source: PDSA, Winter advice to keep your pet safe through the cold season (13 December 2022).
Cats and cars
PDSA says cats may shelter under cars or climb into warm engines, and suggests knocking on the bonnet and checking underneath before starting the car; cats should always be able to get back in, or have a warm shelter, if the cat flap freezes. Source: PDSA, Winter advice to keep your pet safe through the cold season (13 December 2022).
Sources
- PDSA, Winter advice to keep your pet safe through the cold season (13 December 2022), read 7 November 2026.
Related pages
Rock salt and dog paws, antifreeze poisoning, fireworks and pets and the seasonal hazards calendar.
