If you live in a cold climate, it is important to consider if your prospective pet will tolerate harsh weather conditions regularly. It is also good to prepare for outings on a cold day, to keep your pet warm and safe in winter.
Standard poodles are more cold-tolerant than toy and miniature poodles but the breed in general is sensitive to cold weather. Their hair does not insulate well, although keeping the coat longer in winter greatly helps to repel snow and rain. There are individual factors to consider, such as the age and overall health of the dog. If the temperature drops below 0 °C /32 °F, keep the walks brief and be mindful of the risk of frostbite.
Every Dog’s Adaptations To Protect From The Cold
- Paw cushions are made of subcutaneous fat and connective tissue, and supported by an elaborate net of blood vessels. The cushions are effective in protecting the paw from injury, shock, and temperature extremes. Low temperatures cause blood vessels to constrict, which reduces blood supply to the paw and increases the risk of injury and frostbite.
- Pilorection is just a formal term for goosebumps. Fur bristles create a pocket of air between hair shafts, which prevents warm air from escaping and cold air from getting close to the skin.
- Metabolism slows down to prevent the release of warmth into the environment
- Dogs shiver to generate heat. Shivering occurs when the animal is mildly hypothermic but stops when hypothermia becomes severe.
Risk Factors
Several individual characteristics make any animal even more vulnerable to developing hypothermia.
- Deconditioning: good health and regular exercise improve tolerance of suboptimal conditions
- Any physical health problem – chronic or acute
- Being thin: subcutaneous fat insulates, so chubbier pups do better in the cold
- Old dogs are at high risk for hypothermia due to their impaired physiologic responses to extreme temperatures
- Puppies also have little stamina and get cold or hot easily
- An inactive dog will have a harder time keeping warm
- Lack of acclimatization is a major factor, because gradual exposure to cold, as tolerated, allows the dog to adjust to low temperatures over time
- Wet fur is a risk factor even for young and healthy animals
Poodle-Specific Features And Risk Factors
Single-Layer Coat
Although the poodle’s coat is thick and can be allowed to grow quite long, it does not insulate very well. Your single-coated pet is vulnerable to cold and hot air, and wind.
When the coat gets wet, its insulating power diminishes even further, so it might make sense to keep your poodle’s fur longer during the cold season. The poodle’s hair is resistant to water, as long as it is not trimmed very short.
The qualities of the poodle’s coat make swimming in cold weather a challenge for poodles.
Breed Background
Poodles were not bred to withstand harsh environmental conditions. So, historically, these dogs simply did not have an opportunity to build up stamina as a breed.
Although poodles were initially bred to retrieve waterfowl from water on hunting trips, they lived in temperate climates. They also became popular companion dogs and have been indoor family pets for people, which also does not imply being hardy to cold weather.
Standard Vs Toy And Miniature Poodles
Small animals in general do not maintain warmth as well as larger ones do. Toy and miniature poodles are more susceptible to hypothermia and frostbite, just due to their compact size. Being thin further increases the risk.
Signs Of Hypothermia In Dogs
The normal body temperature of most dogs, including poodles, is in the range of 101.5 °F (38.5 °C) – 102.5°F (39.2°C). Large dogs are slightly warmer than their smaller counterparts.
If body temperature drops to 90 – 95 °F / 32-35 °C, the animal is in the range of mild hypothermia. Temperatures below 84 °F / 28 °C denote severe hypothermia.
The common signs of mild to moderate hypothermia include the following:
- Behavioral changes, such as nervousness, pacing, refusing to walk, or moving abnormally
- Picking up a paw and holding it up
- Vocalizing in a way that alerts you to some distress
- Pale mucous membranes, especially the mouth
- Shivering
The signs of worsening hypothermia include the following:
- Weakness and lethargy
- Stiffness of paws and possibly the torso
- Slow or labored breathing
- Slow pulse
If your pet appears very cold, or you recognize in other ways that the animal is unwell, consider making a trip to a veterinarian. Once the dog is hypothermic beyond a certain threshold, medical interventions are required to save the dog’s life.
How Cold Is Too Cold For A Poodle?
45 °F/ 7 °C is the threshold below which a dog of a cold-sensitive breed is likely to become uncomfortable spending long periods outside. If it is a few degrees cooler, keep your pet’s time outdoors limited, and consider a warm vest for the dog.
As for even harsher conditions when the temperatures drop below the freezing point, consider letting the dog out a few times a day for short periods, just long enough to go to the bathroom. Short walks are still important, given how active these dogs are but you might need to put on a vest and maybe use some paw balm or booties to keep your pet safe in the cold.
When the ambient air is below 32 °F / 0 °C, being outdoors for even a short period of time could lead to frostbite. Paws and ears are most vulnerable to frostbite but any part of the body could be affected.
Frostbite
When an animal is cold, the body prioritizes supplying blood to the torso over the paws to conserve warmth for the essential organs. While this physiologic response increases the chances of survival in the wild, it leaves other parts of the body, such as paws and ears, at a higher risk for frostbite.
The signs of frostbite include:
- pale or gray skin
- coldness of the area
- pain
At a later stage, several days after the injury:
- swelling, inflammation in affected areas
- ulcers, blisters
- areas that are becoming further discolored – purple or black
When the affected limb darkens, it might turn necrotic. It is a dire circumstance because the dog is likely to lose the affected limb and could develop a secondary infection. Untreated infections are a common cause of death.
If you suspect that your dog has frostbite, do not wait to take the animal to a veterinarian. Your dog may need antibiotics, or other therapies to promote recovery.
How To Keep Your Dog Warm In Winter
Several steps could improve your pet’s tolerance to cold weather.
- If you are moving to an area with a colder climate or getting a new pet, allow the dog time to acclimate. At first, spend very short periods outside. Gradually increase the time over a few weeks if your pet tolerates it well.
- Make sure your furry friend eats well on the day of exposure to the cold. A warm meal and water are good options on a cold day, if available.
- It is important to regularly feed your dog good quality food to promote general health.
- Let your dog exercise regularly to improve general health.
- Dry your poodle’s wet coat as soon as you can.
- Clean the paws of ice and rocks. Sometimes it is helpful to rinse your pet’s paws with water a little warmer than lukewarm to gently remove ice and any debris. This practice also reduces damage from mechanical injury due to ice and rocks.
- Consider a waterproof warm coat if your dog goes outside in cold weather frequently. It is important to measure your dog as recommended by the manufacturer, to make sure you are getting the right size.
- Waterproof boots are also important, especially in icy conditions. It may be best to have your pet try those out at home, to make sure they fit well and the dog does not mind wearing them.
- Paw wax is another option, likely superior because it is less cumbersome for the dog and protects almost as well from both cold and hot surfaces.
- If your dog looks cold after a walk, bundle your pet with blankets, and offer a warm meal and water. Don’t use any hot items, such as heating pads or hot water bottles directly on the fur and skin, because they will feel too hot and could cause damage.
Other Concerns In Freezing Weather
If you live in a country where a climate with cold seasons, you might already be familiar with the rules for pets regarding antifreeze and salt on the driveways and roads.
- Antifreeze is a major safety problem for animals. Many dogs and cats like the taste of it. As a result, they will lick any surface antifreeze that is spilled on, and even a small amount could kill an animal or severely impact your pet’s quality of life.
- Salt and other substances that are sprayed on ice and snow in winter can be extremely harsh on the paws. If you use any of those substances in your driveway or take your pet on walks to places that could have salt sprinkled for deicing, consider protecting your pet’s paws with either balm or doggy boots.
