Funny Doggy playing on the snow slide with his boss

Funny Doggy playing on the snow slide with his boss
How long is it safe for my dog to play in the snow?Show more

Short-haired breeds and small dogs shouldn’t play in the snow for a prolonged period without wearing gear to keep them warm. They’re losing body heat much faster than breeds that have their own built-in winter coats. If you’re wondering, ‘Does my dog need a coat in the snow?’ and you have a short-haired breed, small dog or older dog, chances are that you should putcold-weather gear like a coat or sweater on them before going on a walk or playing outside. If you need a heavy coat, gloves, hat and a scarf to go outside, chances are, your dog needs an extra layer. Overall, you should probably limit the time your dog plays in the snow to about 30 minutes but be on the lookout for signs of discomfort like shivering or staying by you and seem like they want to go home.

Can my dog get frostbite?

Yes, if your dog is outside for a prolonged period in freezing temperatures—and particularly if they get wet—your dog can get frostbite, especially on an exposed belly, paws or his skin. Frostbite is dangerous for dogs and they can lose limbs due to this dangerous skin condition. Some signs of frostbite in dogs are cold skin that’s discolored with a bluish-white hue or joint stiffness and clumsiness.

You might want to put dog boots and socks on your pup if they’ll let you to protect their paws so they can spend more time playing in the snow. In general, it may be easiest to make the transition by starting with baby socks or dog socks to get them used to the feeling of something on their paws.