The Dangers of Cold Temperatures:

As temperatures drop below freezing, the risk of frostbite and hypothermia increases. Frostbite is less likely to affect dogs than humans due to their insulating fur, but they can still be affected in areas that are less protected, such as their ears and toes. In both humans and dogs, untreated frostbite can lead to tissue freezing and then dying, which can result in loss of the tissue and limbs. In addition, secondary bacterial infection is possible.

While dogs are less prone to frostbite than humans, the opposite is true for hypothermia: dogs are affected by hypothermia far more quickly and severely than humans due to their smaller size and natural higher body temperature (38.3 to 39.2°C for dogs versus 36.4 to 37.6°C for humans). Hypothermia symptoms vary with severity, but severe hypothermia can result in irregular heartbeat, trouble breathing, loss of consciousness, coma, and death.

Lastly, another common hazard that cold temperatures bring to both dogs and humans is dry eyes, which occurs because colder air cannot hold as much moisture as warmer air. Dry eyes can be very harmful because they can cause the surface of the eye to become scarred and impair vision. Fortunately, dry eyes are simple enough to cure: both humans and dogs have their own form of eye drops that serve this very purpose.

(Photo taken by Iozefavichus Eugenia from ShuttershockLinks to an external site.; image captured 2018-03-21)

How to Minimize the Hazards brought by Cold Temperatures:

If walking outdoors in cold weather is a must, then it is recommended to keep the walks short. It would also be beneficial to avoid the outdoors when winds are strong, as strong winds will maximize the effect of wind chill and make it feel colder. 

It is also important to be on the constant watch for symptoms of frostbite and hypothermia. Symptoms of frostbite in dogs and humans are very similar - they include swelling, blistering, and discoloured skin that is hard, icy, brittle, and/or painful to the touch. Symptoms of hypothermia in both dogs and humans are also very similar, and include pale/white gums, lethargy, excessive shivering, muscle stiffness, frostbite, and death. 

(Photo from Pure Paws Veterinary CareLinks to an external site.; photo captured 2018-04-04)

How to Avoid the Hazards brought by Cold Temperatures:

Cold temperatures are most likely to occur during winter months (especially during the night, when there is no warmth from the sunlight), during the passage of a cold front, and when there is a low pressure system in the area (which often brings with it a cold front). Strong winds can also make temperatures feel colder than they air due to wind chill. 

Walking the dog either indoors or in a warmer location during such weather conditions is a good way to avoid the hazards associated with being in cold temperatures. If not, dog coats and sweaters are a good way to keep dogs warm and dry (in the same way they do for humans!) in cold weather. This becomes more important if the dog has short, thin fur, is small, or is not a breed that is adapted to cold weather. 

(Photo by John Pavel from DreamstimeLinks to an external site.; image captured 2018-03-21)