--- title: "Walking Your Dog in Cold Weather: Coats, Paws, Ice and Dark Evenings" url: https://pawmultiverse.com/walking-your-dog-in-cold-weather/ description: "PDSA winter advice for dog walks: which dogs may need a coat, washing grit and salt off paws, ice and frozen ponds, being seen after dark, and antifreeze. Plus cats and cars in winter." source: Paw Multiverse (https://pawmultiverse.com), free to cite with a link --- # Walking Your Dog in Cold Weather: Coats, Paws, Ice and Dark Evenings Published by Paw Multiverse (A.I.T. Multiverse Consulting Ltd) · Last updated 7 November 2026 **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](https://pawmultiverse.com/disclaimer/). ## 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)](https://www.pdsa.org.uk/press-office/latest-news/pdsa-s-winter-advice-to-keep-your-pet-safe-through-the-cold-season). ## 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](https://pawmultiverse.com/rock-salt-and-dog-paws/). Source: [PDSA, Winter advice to keep your pet safe through the cold season (13 December 2022)](https://www.pdsa.org.uk/press-office/latest-news/pdsa-s-winter-advice-to-keep-your-pet-safe-through-the-cold-season). ## 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)](https://www.pdsa.org.uk/press-office/latest-news/pdsa-s-winter-advice-to-keep-your-pet-safe-through-the-cold-season). ## 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)](https://www.pdsa.org.uk/press-office/latest-news/pdsa-s-winter-advice-to-keep-your-pet-safe-through-the-cold-season). ## 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](https://pawmultiverse.com/senior-dog-care-the-complete-guide-to-your-dogs-golden-years/). Source: [PDSA, Winter advice to keep your pet safe through the cold season (13 December 2022)](https://www.pdsa.org.uk/press-office/latest-news/pdsa-s-winter-advice-to-keep-your-pet-safe-through-the-cold-season). Advertisement ## 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](https://pawmultiverse.com/antifreeze-poisoning-in-pets/). Source: [PDSA, Winter advice to keep your pet safe through the cold season (13 December 2022)](https://www.pdsa.org.uk/press-office/latest-news/pdsa-s-winter-advice-to-keep-your-pet-safe-through-the-cold-season). ## 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)](https://www.pdsa.org.uk/press-office/latest-news/pdsa-s-winter-advice-to-keep-your-pet-safe-through-the-cold-season). ## Sources - [PDSA, Winter advice to keep your pet safe through the cold season (13 December 2022)](https://www.pdsa.org.uk/press-office/latest-news/pdsa-s-winter-advice-to-keep-your-pet-safe-through-the-cold-season), read 7 November 2026. ## Related pages [Rock salt and dog paws](https://pawmultiverse.com/rock-salt-and-dog-paws/), [antifreeze poisoning](https://pawmultiverse.com/antifreeze-poisoning-in-pets/), [fireworks and pets](https://pawmultiverse.com/fireworks-and-pets/) and [the seasonal hazards calendar](https://pawmultiverse.com/pet-seasonal-hazards/). ## Keep reading - [Can Dogs Eat Snow?](https://pawmultiverse.com/can-dogs-eat-snow/) - [What Can Dogs Eat at Christmas?](https://pawmultiverse.com/what-can-dogs-eat-at-christmas/) - [Cats in Cold Weather](https://pawmultiverse.com/cats-in-cold-weather/) **Dog eating snow?** Clean snow is one thing, roadside slush another: [can dogs eat snow?](https://pawmultiverse.com/can-dogs-eat-snow/) **Very cold pet?** The RSPCA signs of hypothermia and frostbite: [hypothermia and frostbite in dogs and cats](https://pawmultiverse.com/hypothermia-and-frostbite-in-dogs-and-cats/). **Hand warmers on winter walks?** They contain iron powder: [are hand warmers poisonous to dogs?](https://pawmultiverse.com/my-dog-ate-a-hand-warmer/) **Honking cough?** Symptoms, how long it lasts and when to see a vet: [kennel cough in dogs](https://pawmultiverse.com/kennel-cough-in-dogs/) **Stopped the flea treatment for winter?** Why vets say fleas carry on indoors: [do pets need flea treatment in winter?](https://pawmultiverse.com/do-pets-need-flea-treatment-in-winter/) **Is your pet's food on a recall list?** Check the barcode on the bag against five official registers in the US, UK, Canada and France. [Check your bag](https://pawmultiverse.com/check-your-bag/) · [Recalls this week](https://pawmultiverse.com/pet-food-recalls/this-week/) Advertisement