How Do I Know When It's Too Cold For Him?

Hello everyone,

Being winter and very cold right now where I live (Ontario, Canada), I was wondering when it would be considered too cold for my puppy's paws to go for a walk.

He is a 7 month old black lab puppy. Our walks are usually 20 minutes long. And recently, the temperatures have dipped as low as -34 C (with the windchill). Very cold! I just want to make sure that his paws can handle it.

Any replies would be greatly appreciated.

I am not sure what temps would be too cold, that seems really cold though. Have you considered getting him some protective boots? I have seen these at the pet store that I frequent and know of a few hunters that use them with their dogs when it is cold.

Gosh that is cold I echo what gimmeice has said about protective boots I was looking at them myself yesterday for my dog as his paws are brown with his allergy.

My older brother is quite a dog fundi. He says to tell you that if you can go outside then he can too I like the boots idea tho (i'm overprotective) XOXO

I live in Ontario, Canada Melissa and yes this temperature would be too cold, so keep the walks brief or try the boot idea. Depending on the dog, he may or may not like the boots. With my dog Bella, I can tell when she starts lifting up her paws and she looks upset. One time last year she wouldn't walk anymore and just stood there. When I see her looking upset with her paws I pick her up. I know your dog is bigger so you probably can't pick him up. If it really hurts your hands then its too cold for your pet.

I am laughing so hard, I visualize the boots freezing the fabric to the ice and he can not move wondering what is up with his feel that seem magically paralyzed.
the look on his face would be so preciously funny. "what up??"
:O

I hope your puppy is nice and warm, walks are great, so is canada.

hugs
\
SW

Thank you everyone for your replies. Dog boots would be a good idea, but I'm not sure they'd work for Zeppelin. It would be VERY difficult to get all 4 on him, and then afterwards I think he'd be trying to take them off, probably succeeding! Maybe I should just stick to short walks for now?

try the walks...a bigger problem will be to watch for the salt & stuff people put on their walks to melt the ice...make sure if you get some to make sure it says PET SAFE> otherwise it will really mess with his feet & could be poisonous.

try a walk..if it is too cold he will shiver & let you know he is uncomfortable. some dogs will tolerate booties, some not. it's hit or miss. there is also some goo you can put on their feet...i think it's about the same as boots..good luck either way.

i would invest in a jacket for him...they can be had pretty cheap..either thru places like lands end or even petsmart or other places...i got mine thru lands end...they run small so go huge. especially up there that will help keep him warm.

in really cold weather...short walks or play time will do & remember to offer lots of fresh water..dogs can dehydrate just as easily in the cold as with warm weather.

my guys go to the park ever day & play all winter..now it doesn't get that cold here but with the wind chill it can be close to zero or below at times & they can be outside for 45 minutes to an hr...most of the time they play hard & don't seem to care..i stop when i see them shiver or just not having fun.

brrrr. good luck.

There is also protective natural/organic paw wax/conditioner for the pads that acts as an insulator for the cold, snow, and ice that can put on them before going out in milder colder temps in the winter to prevent drying and cracking. But -34 C, I would put boots on or VERY brief walks. I think, would I want to be barefoot in that temp and I go barefoot a lot!

The problem with boots is that unless fitted right, they do not stay on. Look for ones that have velcro adjustments in two places right above the paw and a little higher. The knotted rope slips will not stay on. There is a happy medium with tightening so as not to overtighten and not so tight as to fall off. There will be some high stepping and shaking when you first put them on. It may be a concern, and can be funny, but normal.

Introduce them slowly, such as in the house for a short periods to get used to them before taking them outside with them. Once they get outside such as with ice and snow it can be awkward for them otherwise and unsafe for their coordination causing injury, if not introduced slowly.

If it is cold enough that I would need a coat and gloves on, I put boots/ protection on their paws is my guide for the weather.

hey melissa, you can buy dog booties and also socks off ebay to, they are pretty cheap i saw some socks for $5 i'm trying to get some for my 10yo staffy cross bullmastiff for winter time, as she hates the cold and the rain also!! hope this helps out Black Swan

I have my basset hound mix a sweater for when it gets really chilly her as she has to be walked at least once a day to burn out her energy and keep her happy.

A sweater is good, and so are the booties, they aren't too expensive and trying them out one at a time inside first is a great idea. That way Zepplin can adjust to them and if he absolutely hates them save the recipit and take them back to whereever you bought them for a refund. That is what I did with the sweater with my dog Scout in case she didn't like it. After a few try ons with the sweater she didn't mind anymore

Booties are ideal since dogs release heat through the pads of their feet, but a sweater will also help trap and maintain body temperature on their body as well.

i think you should post a pix of your basset hound mix...

is it a "bagel" beagle/basset mix? my sally is one
my other guy who passed last year was a "basetter" english setter/basset
& i had a st bernard/basset mix foster.."st bernasset"

my one guy wears a coat because he is a wuss...& gets cold in october...actually i think he is more vain than cold,,,as he will wear the coat thru april...none of the others use them altho they have them...it does get pretty cold here during the winter so if it makes him happy then i am ok with it.

What a cutie! I love his big ears! We aren't completely sure what she is mixed with, the vet thinks maybe australian shepard or queensland herder because she is blue mereled in her coloring and her ears are a bit short. Lol it only bothers Scout when the wind chill is up high. It doesn't get horribly cold here but the wind chill temperatures do get pretty bad at times. A basses stbernard mix! That is a sight to see

the size of a basset with the head, coat & double dew claws of a st bernard...super sweet boy...

Just remember that he still needs his exercise!! I'd stick to short walks, and lots of play time inside. My lab/boxer mix chased a laser light like crazy, so since it's cold here we just have her chase the laser light in the house back and forth til she's worked up a good thirst. It also works at night when it's dark out and you can see the light really well, we let her chase it around the backyard a good ten laps or so to wear her out before bed.