October is the month when you have to wear a jacket all day because it gets chilly in the mornings, in the afternoons... and you might even get cold if you're in the shade and there's a bit of wind.
Just like us, some dogs are more sensitive to the cold than others, mainly due to the amount and thickness of their fur, their age, their state of health, and their weight.
Therefore, we can say that dogs generally more prone to feeling the cold are short-haired, small breeds, such as Chihuahuas and Pinschers; slender, short-haired dogs, such as Whippets and Greyhounds; and mixed breeds of these or similar breeds. Finally, senior dogs (7 or 8 years and older), puppies, and dogs with health problems also suffer more from the cold.
In addition to these factors, which are mainly determined by the genetic predisposition of each animal, there may be specific situations where our furry friend gets cold and shows signs of it.
Signs your furry friend is cold:
- Shivering or trembling. Perhaps this is the most obvious sign, but, just like us, our furry friends' bodies react this way to try to stay warm.
- He curls up into a ball. If our furry friend curls up into a ball, it's very possible he's trying to use his own body heat as protection from an environment that's too cold for his liking.
- Cold ears and paws. Our furry friends' ears are a fairly reliable indicator of their temperature. If they are very cold (especially at the tips), it means their body temperature is lower than normal, which usually ranges between 38 and 39 degrees Celsius. Cold paws also indicate this.
- Sudden behaviors. If during a walk, our furry friend suddenly makes a move to run, shakes, or sits down suddenly, it is very likely that they are showing discomfort with the ambient temperature.
- Whimpering. A final cry for help that shows our furry friend is feeling cold can manifest itself in the form of small whimpers or barks.
If you have already noticed or are noticing any of these symptoms in your furry friend... it's time to act!
During your walk, you can protect him from the cold with a sweater or a padded jacket, and once you get home, have a cozy corner ready with a soft bed or a cozy little cave and a super blanket where he can snuggle up and warm up. He'll thank you for it!