by Nancy Houser

Created on: January 17, 2009   Last Updated: January 27, 2009

One would think that wearing a fur coat would be enough to keep a body warm, particularly when standing outside in the middle of freezing cold weather. But how about a pet who would be standing unprotected in 15 degree weather with a wind chill of -3 degrees for several hours if not all day? There are several methods to protect them in such weather:
1. A dog's wet coat will lose insulating properties, so keep them dry and out of standing water. To understand this better, spray yourself down with water and stand in unprotected areas throughout the yard.

2. A dog's pads on their feet are their most sensitive areas, so make sure they have a place that is warm and dry to stand in. If you wish, walk around barefoot yourself to thoroughly check it out.

3. Make sure there is enough bedding in the dog house. If the amount is questionable, spend an hour or so in the dog house yourself with a medium-weight jacket on.

4. Watch for signs of hypothermia: violent shivering; listlessness, weak pulse; and coma. In the dog, not in you.

5. If the animal is in a dog house, make sure there is protection at the entrance (i.e. a board or facing a solid object, such as a garage, fence or house). You should feel no wind, snow or rain coming in the entrance as you sit in front of, not behind, your pet.

6. If the dog is an inside dog, bring them back immediately when they are done toileting. They are not used to the cold and will develop hypothermia in a short time or frost-bite their feet. Do not follow through yourself with this act of toileting.

7. Make sure outside dogs have fresh unfrozen water at least twice a day. Drink when the dogs drink, and you will understand real thirst.

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